Central American cat frett
| Central American cat frett | ||||||||||||
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Central American cat frett ( Bassariscus sumichrasti ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Bassariscus sumichrasti | ||||||||||||
| ( Saussure , 1860) |
The Central American cat frett ( Bassariscus sumichrasti ) is a predator in the small bear family (Procyonidae). Despite the name, the species is not related to either cats or ferrets . The term "Cacomixtle" used in some languages is a loan word from the Indian Nahuatl language and means something like "half puma ".
features
The species reaches a head-body length of 38 to 47 cm and a tail length of 39 to 53 cm. The average weight is 900 grams. The bushy tail is characterized by several light gray and black rings. The rest of the fur is brownish to light gray in color. The dentition has 40 teeth and the canines are well defined.
distribution and habitat
The range of this small bear stretches from southern Mexico to central Panama . The species is not documented in Nicaragua , but it is believed that it also occurs here. In the Mexican states of Guerrero , Oaxaca and Veracruz , the distribution area overlaps with the occurrence of the sister species North American cat frett ( Bassariscus astutus ). Various types of rainforests in the lowlands or mountains, as well as dry forests and partly scrubland serve as habitats .
Way of life
The Central American cat fret is nocturnal and mostly lives in the middle and high areas of the treetops. Individuals almost never hit the ground. Outside of the mating season, the specimens live in principle solitary, even if up to nine individuals have already been observed in the same tree. The districts are on average 136 hectares and only overlap in exceptional cases. The claim to a territory is made clear with loud screams.
This small bear is an omnivore with fruits as the predominant food source. Small vertebrates such as frogs , lizards , birds and rodents as well as insects and eggs are also eaten.
Most pairings occur between February and June, although pairings are possible at other times of the year. A young animal is generally born after an average gestation of 64 days. Before that, a nest is made in the foliage or in a tree hole. The boy is blind at birth and weighs only about 25 grams. It begins after about six to seven weeks with solid food and is generally suckled until the third month of life. The mother bears the brunt of the rearing, although the father is sometimes tolerated. Specimens in human care lived up to 23 years old, and there are no data on life expectancy for wild animals.
Causes of mortality and exposure
The Central American cat fret has a variety of natural enemies such as birds of prey , ocelots , tayras, and giant snakes .
In some regions the animal is hunted by the indigenous population for its fur and meat. The greatest danger, on the other hand, is the loss of habitat through deforestation , since the Central American catfish is heavily dependent on the forest. The population is considered to be widely dispersed with certain regional clusters. Due to the comparatively large distribution area and because the species occurs in some protected areas, such as national parks , the Central American cat fret is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Merriam-Webster
- ↑ a b c d e f B. Lundrigan: Bassariscus sumichrasti ( Eng. ) In: Animal Diversity Web . University of Michigan. 2001. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
- ↑ Ivo Poglayen-Neuwall, Dale E. Toweill: Bassariscus astutus . In: Mammalian Species . No. 327, 1988.
- ↑ a b Bassariscus sumichrasti in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2011. Posted by: Samudio, R. Pino, JL & slipway, K., 2008. Accessed November 21, 2011th
