The cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti) is a secretive, mostly nocturnal and tree-dwelling omnivore of the raccoon family Procyonidae, living in humid evergreen tropical forest and montane cloud forest from southern Mexico to western Panama. The name comes from the Nahuatl for half-cat. It resembles its northern cousin the ringtail but has faded tail markings, pointed ears and retractable claws; adults weigh about 1 to 1.5 kilograms and are 38 to 47 centimetres long with a tail of similar length or longer. It eats fruit, flowers, nectar, invertebrates and small vertebrates, often foraging in canopy bromeliads. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern, but it depends on trees and dense vegetation and so is vulnerable to deforestation, and six regional subspecies are recognised.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) ThreatsBiological Resource Use 2 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Cacomistle (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Cacomistle (Wikipedia)
Source Cacomistle (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source Animal Diversity Web: Bassariscus sumichrasti (cacomistle)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Cacomistle (Wikipedia)Lead, Costa RicaQuote, Lead, Costa Rica
Costa Rica, where it inhabits only a very small area
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Cacomistle (Wikipedia)Lead, where it livesQuote, Lead, where it lives
from southern México to western Panamá
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Cacomistle (Wikipedia)Lead, PanamaQuote, Lead, Panama
from southern México to western Panamá
Sources
1. Cacomistle (Wikipedia)
Lead
listed as being of "least concern"
Lead, diet
a primarily nocturnal, arboreal, omnivorous member of the carnivoran family Procyonidae
Lead, living range
a primarily nocturnal, arboreal, omnivorous member of the carnivoran family Procyonidae
Lead, nocturnal
a primarily nocturnal, arboreal, omnivorous member of the carnivoran family Procyonidae
Lead, where it lives
from southern México to western Panamá
Lead, Panama
from southern México to western Panamá
Lead, Costa Rica
Costa Rica, where it inhabits only a very small area
Distribution and habitat
The cacomistle inhabits the tropical and subtropical forests of North America (Mexico) and south into Central America, ranging through Panama.
In Group: Mustelids, Procyonids And Other Carnivorans, Lead, family
a primarily nocturnal, arboreal, omnivorous member of the carnivoran family Procyonidae
In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Lead, tropical forest
its preferred habitats are humid and tropical evergreen jungle and montane cloud forests
In Biome: Cloud Forest, Lead, cloud forest
its preferred habitats are humid and tropical evergreen jungle and montane cloud forests
View the Source2. Animal Diversity Web: Bassariscus sumichrasti (cacomistle)
Animal Diversity WebConservation Status, CITES
Appendix III
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Humans hunt B. sumichrasti for fur and meat
In Ecosystem: Forest, Conservation Status
It is completely dependent on forests
View the Source 3. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Bassariscus sumichrasti
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLife history traits, adult weight
Adult weight 900 g
Lifespan, maximum longevity
Maximum longevity 24 years (captivity)
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