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Central American Cacomistle

(Bassariscus sumichrasti)

Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Procyonida

Genus: Bassariscus

Species: Bassariscus sumichrasti

Range

The Central American Cacomistle lives in mountain forests and rainforests from Mexico to Panama.

Related Species

The Central American Cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti) is a close relative of the American Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus).  
B. sumichrasti has a longer tail and pointier ears than B. astutus, and has lower ridges on its molars and retractable claws.

General Information

Cacomistles are active at night and live primarily in the trees. They are solitary, and maintain large territories which are defended by loud calling. They will make their dens in hollow trees, caves, or even abandoned buildings. The Cacomistle is an omnivore, and eats fruits, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, bird eggs, and small mammals. Their lifespan in the wild is unknown, but captive individuals have lived over twenty years.

Reproduction

Mating season is the only time the Central American Cacomistle will form a pair. Although females may come into their 44 day estrus period at any time, it usually occurs sometime from February to June. The females are receptive to mating for only one day, and have a gestation period of two months. They give birth to only one cub, which is weaned at around three months old. The female teaches the cub how to forage for food and evade predators. The male does very little to assist in the raising of the young, other than occasionally playing with the cub. 

Status In The Wild

Cacomistles are a food source for a wide variety of predators, including raptors, tayras, ocelots, boa constrictors, and humans. They are regarded with suspicion due to their predation on domestic poultry. The Central American Cacomistle is not considered threatened, although they are naturally rare and suffer deforestation of their forest habitat.

Links

Lioncrusher's Domain--Cacomistle Facts and Pictures

Animal Diversity Web--South American Cacomistle Information

E-mail Contacts

Small Carnivore TAG Educational Liaison

Web page created by Joel Trout, Zoo Animal Tech Program, Pensacola Junior College, 2006