OLINGUITO - MAMMAL
CARNIVORE SPECIES
DISCOVERED
G'day folks,
The first mammal carnivore species to be
discovered in America in 35 years, the olinguito is the latest addition
to the raccoon family tree.
This new species of mammal, called
Bassaricyon neblina, was discovered in 2013 by the Smithsonian National
Museum of Natural History scientists. The small animal has a fluffy
red-orange fur along with a bushy tail and is found in the misty Andean
Mountains in South America.
Interestingly, scientists had previously assumed olinguitos were members
of their sister species, the olingos (Bassaricyon gabbii) - another
tree-dwelling mammal that lives in the same mountains.
They are,
however, larger and have longer faces than olinguitos. This mammal was
identified after gathering DNA sequences from live specimens. In
appearance, these remarkably beautiful little animals look like a cross
between a house cat and a teddy bear.
Clancy's comment: Cute lil guys, eh?
I'm ...
No comments:
Post a Comment