Northern olingo
Schlankbär ( Bassaricyon gabbii )
The Schlankbär or Olingo ( Bassaricyon gabbii, even bush -tailed Olingo or Central America Makibär ), is a species belonging to the small bear Makibären ( Bassaricyon ) from Central and South America. The height ranges from about 77 to 95 cm, with slightly more than half the length attributable to the tail.
Features
The body of the Schlankbärs is slender with relatively short front legs and slightly longer hind legs. It reaches a body length of about 77-95 centimeters, with about 40 to 48 inches accounted for by the tail. Body weight is about one kilogram. Under four measured and weighed animals in Panama the only females included in the sample was slightly larger than the males surveyed. Two measured in Nicaragua and Costa Rica animals were significantly greater than the animals from Panama.
The coat is thick and soft. The body color is brown to gray-brown, rarely golden brown, with the belly slightly lighter cream to yellow. Along the midline of the back is the coat usually darker and it has a yellowish band that runs through the neck to the ears. The wide face is gray than the body, the muzzle is short and pointed. The eyes are large with zimtfarbener iris and vertical, narrow pupils. The ears rounded, the ear length is 3.5 to 3.8 centimeters.
The feet are wide with curved claws, they are about 8-9 inches long. The tail is slightly longer than the rest of the body and accounts for about 51 to 56 % of the body length from. Unlike the Kinkajous (Potos flavus ), with which the Schlankbär is often confused, the tail is not prehensile in this. He is slightly flattened dorsoventrally and can have 11 to 13 dark circles. The tail is bushy.
Distribution and habitat
According to the information provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN), the distribution area of Schlankbärs is located in Central and South America, ranging from Nicaragua over Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia to the west in the northern Ecuador. After Prange & Prange 2009, the species was also documented in Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru.
He is mainly found in evergreen rain forest areas and forest edges. The altitudinal distribution ranges from sea level to altitudes of 2,000 meters, the main distribution lies at altitudes of 1600-2000 meters.
Life and Ecology
The Schlankbär lives mainly in the higher areas of the forest in the foliage of trees. After individual scientists, he avoids anthropogenically influenced areas, others describe a good fit to secondary forests and plantations.
Nutrition
15 different food plants for the Schlankbär were detected for a total of Panama, also the nectar of flowers of Balsabaumes ( Ochroma pyramidal ) is mainly at the beginning of the dry season attributed a special meaning.
Between the Schlankbärsen and occurring partly in the same habitat Kinkajous is a strong competition for available resources, especially food plants and habitats, accepted. Here, it is assumed that occurring in a much larger area Wickelbär against the Schlankbärs is stronger and more competitive these displaced accordingly in areas that have limited resources.
Reproduction
The Schlankbär will usually produce a single young after a gestation period of 2.5 months for the world. The birth takes place probably at the beginning of the dry season.
Predators and parasites
Potential predators of Schlankbärs mainly include the Jaguarundi ( Herpailurus yaguarondi ), the ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis ) and large snakes. The Tayra ( Eira barbara ), they could also capture, while during the day they retire to their burrows.
About the Schlankbärs parasites are few information. Documented parasites include Leishmania Leishmania braziliensis panamensis and Leishmania. Experimental animals were infected either with Isospora arctopitheci still with Toxoplasma gondii.
System
The Schlankbär is recognized as a type assigned to the genus Makibären Bessaricyon, which currently consists of five types. Here there is currently no security on the actual number of species and in the past have been recognized by various scientists only two or only one type of Makibären.
Within the species, three subspecies are distinguished. This is in addition to the nominate B. g gabbii to B. g medius and B. g richardsoni.
It was named after William M. Gabb Bassaricyon gabbii, who caught the first specimen of this species scientifically described.
Threats and conservation
The species is regarded globally as " not threatened " by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN ) due to the relatively large area of distribution ( Least concern ). She was " low risk" 1996-2008 ( Lower Risk / Near Threatened ) classified.
The species occurs in a number of protected areas in front of their area of distribution and can adapt well even after a change of habitat to new living conditions. As the main threat to individual populations of habitat loss is considered by deforestation. A hunting of the species does not take place, but the young are locally caught and sold as pets. In Colombia, the Schlankbär is protected by law and is listed on Appendix III of the CITES Convention.