Cacomistle

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Cacomistle

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae
Genus: Bassariscus
Species:
B. sumichrasti
Binomial name
Bassariscus sumichrasti
(
Saussure
, 1860)
Cacomistle range

The cacomistle (

tropical evergreen jungle and montane cloud forests; seasonally, it may venture into drier, deciduous
forests.

Although its total population is listed as being of "least concern" (i.e., stable), the cacomistle is still a highly cryptic, secretive animal, and generally an uncommon sight throughout much of its range (from southern México to western Panamá); this fact is especially true in Costa Rica, where it inhabits only a very small area. Additionally, the species is completely dependent on trees and dense vegetation for habitat, making it particularly susceptible to deforestation.

The name cacomistle comes from the

Nahuatl language (tlahcomiztli) and means "half-cat" or "half-puma";[6] the same name is also given, by some, to the North American Bassariscus astutus, more commonly known as the ringtail (or, semi-inaccurately, ringtail 'cat'). This "sister species" of the cacomistle inhabits a much more northerly and less tropical range, from arid Northern Mexico into the Southwestern United States
.

Taxonomy

The cacomistle is one of two extant species in the genus

olingos and kinkajous
.

Currently, six regional subspecies of Bassariscus sumichrasti are recognized:

  • Campeche cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti campechensis)
  • Central American cacomistle (B. s. sumichrasti)
  • Northern Central American cacomistle (B. s. variabilis)
  • Oaxaca cacomistle (B. s. oaxacensis)
  • Panamá cacomistle (B. s. notinus)[7]

Description

Cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti)

This species of cacomistle's body is 38–47 cm in length, which is attached to a tail of approximately the same length, if not longer (typically 39–53 cm long). The male cacomistle is often slightly longer than its female counterpart, however both male and female have approximately the same weight, usually between 1 and 1.5 kg.

Ring-tailed cat (Scientific name: Bassariscus astutus) because of the similarity of their appearance, but unlike the ring-tail cat the cacomistle does not have retractable claws. The cacomistle can also be identified by its faded tail and the observation of ears that come to a point.[7]

Distribution and habitat

The cacomistle inhabits the tropical forests of North America and Central America, from south-central Mexico to Panama. These animals are quite solitary and thus spread themselves out, with each cacomistle having a home range of at least 20 hectares (an area equivalent to 20 sports fields)[9] and are typically seen in the middle and upper levels of the canopy.[7] Throughout their broad range this species is found to inhabit a wide variety of different forest ecosystems. In Mexico, the cacomistle tends to avoid oak forests, secondary forest, and overgrown pastures, but in Costa Rica, the cacomistle has been shown to favor those exact habitats.[8]

Diet

Cacomistles are considered generalist feeders, because they can survive on a wide variety of different foods.

bromeliad is an excellent reservoir for food in the southern edge of the cacomistle's range, as these plants naturally collect water, insects and small animals found high in the canopy.[8]

Reproduction

Mating season is the only time cacomistles interact with each other, and it is only briefly as the female is only receptive to male approaches for one day. After mating, the female cacomistle undergoes a gestation period of approximately two months before giving birth to a single offspring. When the cub is three months old it is weaned, and then taught hunting and survival skills by its mother before going off to develop its own territory.[10]

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T2613A166521324.en
  2. ISBN 0-550-10105-5
    .
  3. ^ "Definition of cacomistle | Dictionary.com". www.dictionary.com. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  4. ^ "cacomistle | mammal | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  5. ^ Jirik, Kate. "LibGuides: North American Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) Fact Sheet: Taxonomy & History". ielc.libguides.com. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  6. ^ Cacomistle. Merriam-Webster Dictionary
  7. ^ a b c d Cacomistle Pictures and Facts. thewebsiteofeverything.com
  8. ^ a b c d Garcia N.E., Vaughen C.S., McCoy M.B. (2002). "Cacomistle Ecology in Costa Rica". Vida Silvestre Neotropical. 11 (1–2): 52–59.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ How big is a hectare? metricviews.org.uk
  10. ^ Trout, J.(2006). Central American Cacomistle. pensacolastate.edu Archived 11 July 2012 at archive.today
Wikispecies has information related to Bassariscus.
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