Tayra Eira barbara
Tayra, Serra Bonita, Camacan, Bahia, Brazil, November 2008 - click for larger image Serra Bonita, Camacan, Bahia, Brazil
November 2008

Tayra are distributed in Central and South America from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. They are found in forest of all types as well as in gardens and plantations.

Tayra, Serra Bonita, Camacan, Bahia, Brazil, November 2008 - click for larger image A member of the weasel family Mustelidae it is the size of a small dog. The head can vary in colour from dark brown to yellowish.

They are either solitary or in pairs and have a large home range of up to 24 km².
Tayra, Serra Bonita, Camacan, Bahia, Brazil, November 2008 - click for larger image They are omnivorous feeding on rodents and other small mammals, insects, eggs, fruit and honey so they are both terrestrial and arboreal. They are not seen often because they are quite wary but I have seen them as they crash down a tree having been disturbed by my presence.

Despite being wary, they can get used to humans. This particular individual was seen near the lodge at Serra Bonita.

There is a page on Wikipedia with more information.
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