Bassaricyon gabbii can eat fruit being grown commercially, but its population is so sparse that it does not constitute a major threat to crops.
Negative Impacts: crop pest
The predators of B. gabbii are snakes and large cats like the jaguar (Panthera onca). Humans are known to kill them, but not for food.
Known Predators:
Bassaricyon gabbii measures 350 to 470 mm long, with a tail length of 400 to 480 mm. These animals weigh between 970 and 1,500 g. The pelage can range from grey-brown to yellowish. Faint bands are visible on the tail. It has small rounded ears and a flattened head. Both males and females have similar body size.
Range mass: 970 to 1500 g.
Range length: 750 to 955 mm.
Average length: 850 mm.
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Not much is known about longevity in B. gabbii. Captive ones have been recorded living as long as 25 years. The lifespan in the wild is thought to be no more than 10 years.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 25 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 10 years.
Typical lifespan
Status: captivity: 25 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 24.0 years.
Bassaricyon gabbii is found in evergreen forests, and on forest edges. It prefers the upper canopy of the forest and is rarely seen on the ground. Bassaricyon gabbii is found at elevations from sea level to 2,000 m.
Range elevation: 0 to 2000 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest
Brassaricyon gabbii is typically found from Nicaragua to Bolivia, where it is locally abundant and it is sparsely distributed in the western Amazon basin.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Bassaricyon gabbii feeds on fruits, nectar, flowers, insects, and small vertebrates. It is primarily a frugivore and prefers to feed in fruit trees. However, it is reported to consume considerably more meat in captivity than Potos flavus, and actively hunts warm-blooded animals.
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; eggs; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods
Plant Foods: fruit; flowers; sap or other plant fluids
Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore )
Bassaricyon gabbii is a minor seed disperser. In addition, this species may affect populations of small vertebrates upon which it preys, as well as those of large carnivores which prey upon it. It is a known competitor of Potos flavus, and is probably an indirect competitor with many diurnal primate species which feed on fruits.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds
Bassaricyon gabbii is not known to have any direct economic importance to humans.
Deforestation of B. gabbii habitat is reducing the population, but no exact numbers are known. The species is listed on Appendix III of CITES in Costa Rica. IUCN lists the species as Lower risk.
CITES: appendix iii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
It is thought that B. gabbii communicates with conspecifics using sound. Olingos also have glands on either side of the anus that that are used in scent marking. The function of this scent marking may be to attract members of the opposite sex, or to mark territory. Because they are mammals, it is likely that visual signals, such as body posture, are used in some instances. Tactile communication is undoubtedly of importance between rivals, mates, as well as between mothers and offspring.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Five species of the genus Bassaricyon are currently recognized by most authorities. However, some think that these five species should be demoted to the rank of subspecies of a single species.
Natives of the Amazon consider the olingos dangerous and kill them on sight.
The breeding system of this species has not been reported. Males are reported to be intollerant of one another in captivity, so it is unlikely that females have multiple mates.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Breeding in B. gabii is reported to be aseasonal. Gestation lasts approximately 73 to 74 days. At the end of gestation a single offspring is born. Young are altricial, and like most carnivores, are born with their eyes closed. Birth weight is around 55 g. By about 27 days of age, the eyes of the young have opened. Solid food may be consumed as young as 2 months of age. By 21 to 24 months of age, B. gabbii has reached sexual maturity.
Breeding interval: These animals are apparently able to breed at least once per year, and without a definite breeding season may breed more often than that.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs throughout the year.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Range gestation period: 73 to 74 days.
Average weaning age: 2 months.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 21 to 24 months.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 21 to 24 minutes.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous
Average birth mass: 55 g.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Male parental care has not been reported for these animals. Females, like females of other mammalian species, take care of infants, providing them with milk, grooming, and protection. Young begin to consume solid food by about 2 months of age, and weaning probably occurs shortly thereafter. It is not known how long the young stay with their mothers, but, as with most carnivores, which must learn how to hunt for prey, young B. gabbii probably have some post-weaning association with their mothers.
Parental Investment: no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources the B. gabbii is considered a Lower Risk/Near Threatened animal (Prange & Prange, 2009). It is said that the largest threat to the olingos are habitat destruction and degradation (Prange & Prange, 2009). B. gabbii, are protected by the Colombian legislation and nowhere else in the world (Prange & Prange, 2009).
In our ecosystem, the B. gabbii plays a minor role in dispersal of seeds. For humans, some people will say that the B. gabbii will eat the fruit that is being grown for commercial use but because of it’s sparse locations it is not fully known if B. gabbiis are a threat to crops (Pontes & Chivers, 2002)
Adult Bassaricyon gabbii (Northern olingo) has a head to body length of between 36 to 42 centimeters, which is about 14 to 17 inches. Bassaricyon gabbii weighs around 1.2 to 1.4 kilograms, which is equivalent to 2/6 to 3.1 pounds (Saavedra-Rodriguez & Velandia-Perilla, 1875). Its tail is between 38 to 48 centimeters (15 to 19 inches) (Saavedra-Rodriguez & Velandia-Perilla, 1875).
Northern olingo is an arboreal animal that has longer hind legs than it is fore legs. It has a long, bushy tail that is used as a balancing organ (Reid, 1997). The tail of an olingo is non-prehensile, non-tapering, and slightly tufted at the end (Reid, 1997). B. gabbii has a number of faint rings of darker fur along its tail.
Olingo’s face is short and rounded with large eyes and short round ears (Saavedra-Rodriguez & Velandia-Perilla, 1875). The fur ofBassaricyon gabbii is a brown and or grayish brown color that covers over most of the body. This then becomes slightly darker along the mid of the back. The under parts of the animals body has a light cream to yellowish coloring to it (Saavedra-Rodriguez & Velandia-Perilla, 1875). Interesting enough there is a band of yellowish fur that runs around the throat and sides of the head (Prange & Prange, 2009).
The feet of a B. gabbii are hairy with flattened toes ending with short and curvy claws (Prange & Prange, 2009). It is documented that only the females have one “pared of teats” that are located on the rear part of the abdomen (Prange & Prange, 2009).
In order to protect themselves from predators, Bassaricyon gabbii has a pair of anal scent glands that helps them secret foul smelling chemicals when they are frightened or feel threatened (Saavedra-Rodriguez & Velandia-Perilla, 1875).
The call of a Northern olingo posses two notes, "whey-chuck" or "wey-toll" sound.
Males have been documented to be intolerant to one another in captivity, which would make the females unlikely to have multiple mates (Nowak, 1999). B. gabbii typically breed during the dry season and the mother gives birth to a single young after a gestation period, which lasts for around ten weeks (Prange & Prange, 2009). The young is born with its eyes closed and weights around 55 grams (Nowak, 1999). After 27 days, the baby’s eyes will open. During the nurturing period, the female will take care of the young and provide them with milk, grooming, and protection. The young is mostly a carnivore and is taught to learn how to hunt for prey but it is not known who is teaching them or what the male B. gabbii role in the parenting is (Nowak, 1999). It is documented that at 2 months of age solid food will be consumed and then at 20 to 21 months B. gabbii will have reached sexual maturity (Nowak, 1999). B. gabbiis is documented to live up for twenty-five years in captivity (maybe more) and about ten years in the wild (Prange & Prange, 2009).
Bassaricyon gabbii is typically found in Central America from Nicaragua through Costa Rica and western Panama (Hall, 1981). Some reporters have said that it has been sighted from Honduras and Guatemala (Helgen et al, 2013). Northern olingo’s are rare at sea levels and is usually found inhibiting montane and tropical moist forests from 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) up to around 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) in elevation (Helgen et al, 2013). In South America, it has been reported that B. gabbii has been found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (Prange & Prange, 2009). B. gabbii usually inhibits evergreen forests and forest edges (Pontes & Chivers, 2002). When found in deciduous forests or highly disturbed regions, it is considered an unusual sitting (Pontes & Chivers, 2002).
The Bassaricyon gabbii, also known as the bushy-tailed olingo, Northern olingo, or the olingo is part of the Procyonidae family. B. gabbii is called olingo solely because it is the most commonly seen of the species. It is locally abundant and is sparsely distributed in the western Amazon basin. This Bushy-tailed olingo is one out of the five species in the genus, Bassaricyon (Prange & Prange, 2009). B. gabbii is classified as a Low Risk Near Threatened mammal according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Prange & Prange, 2009). Often, researchers confuse Kinkajou and olingo’s (Prange & Prange, 2009). In 1955 there was a live specimen that was collected in Panama and was brought to the United States. This specimen was sadly mistaking for a Kinkajou (Manville 1956). As mentioned, olingos and kinkajous are very similar and can be easily confused. For years now, these two have likely competed for resources (Kays, 2000). Studies have stated that kinkajous have dominated over B. gabbii in the wild but its geographic and local distribution could be influenced in part by competition with kinkajous (Kays, 2000).
Bassaricyon gabbii is a nocturnal herbivore, which feeds entirely on fruits. It has been recorded that they eat about 15 different species of fruits, one of them being figs (Prange & Prange, 2009). Olingos usually forage alone but have often been spotted eating in groups in large fruiting trees (Pontes & Chivers, 2002). B. gabbiis have also been reported to drink the nectar of balsa trees during the dry season as well as consume small mammals such as mice and squirrels (Prange & Prange, 2009). In Monteverde, Costa Rica there was a report that an Olingo captured hummingbirds. Whether or not the hummingbirds were eaten by the olingo was not stated (Prange & Prange, 2009).
There are five subspecies of olingo: B. g. gabbii,B. g. richardsoni, B. g. medius, B.g. neblina, and B. g. pauli(Wozencraft, 2005). There are two lowland olingo species in Panama and Northwestern South America that are the closest relatives ofB. gabbii (Wozencraft, 2005). B. gabbii, predators are known to be the jaguarondi, ocelot, tayra, several boas, as well as humans (not for food purposes but as pets when young). B. gabbii has anal scent glands that produce a horrid smell to “fight” off predators (Nowak, 1999). This scent markings can also serve for mating purposes as well as to mark their territory (Nowak, 1999).
The northern olingo (Bassaricyon gabbii), also known as the bushy-tailed olingo or as simply the olingo (due to it being the most commonly seen of the species),[2] is a tree-dwelling member of the family Procyonidae, which also includes raccoons. It was the first species of olingo to be described, and while it is considered by some authors to be the only genuine olingo species,[3] a recent review of the genus Bassaricyon has shown that there are a total of four olingo species, although two of the former species should now be considered as a part of this species.[2] Its scientific name honors William More Gabb, who collected the first specimen.[4][5] It is native to Central America.[2]
The northern olingo is a slender arboreal animal, with hind legs distinctly longer than the fore legs, and a long, bushy tail. The face is short and rounded, with relatively large eyes and short round ears.[6] The fur is thick and colored brown or grey-brown over most of the body, becoming slightly darker along the middle of the back, while the underparts are light cream to yellowish.[6] A band of yellowish fur runs around the throat and sides of the head, where it reaches the base of the ears, while the face has greyish fur. The tail is similar in color to the body, but has a number of faint rings of darker fur along its length. The soles of the feet are hairy, and the toes are slightly flattened, ending with short, curved claws.[6] Females have a single pair of teats, located on the rear part of the abdomen, close to the hind legs.[4]
Adults have a head-body length of 36 to 42 centimetres (14 to 17 in), with a 38 to 48 centimetres (15 to 19 in) tail.[6] They weigh around 1.2 to 1.4 kilograms (2.6 to 3.1 lb).[6] The northern olingo possesses a pair of anal scent glands,[6] capable of producing a foul-smelling chemical when the animal is alarmed.[4]
This is the largest of the olingo species.[2] Its pelage is typically less rufous than the other olingos, while its tail bands are a bit more distinct.[2]
The northern olingo is found from Nicaragua through Costa Rica and western Panama.[2] It has also been reported from Honduras and Guatemala, although its great similarity to other olingos, and to kinkajous, may make such reports suspect, and they are not currently recognised by the IUCN.[1] While some individuals have been found as low as sea level,[2] it typically inhabits montane[2] and tropical moist forests[4] from 1,000 metres (3,300 ft)[2] up to around 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) elevation, although it apparently avoids plantations and areas of secondary forest.[4]
Previously, three subspecies (including the nominate) were recognized of this olingo: B. g. gabbii, B. g. richardsoni, and B. g. medius.[3] The recent review of the genus has made several changes to the definition of this species:
The closest relatives of B. gabbii are the two lowland olingo species of Panama and northwestern South America, B. alleni and B. medius, from which it diverged about 1.8 million years ago.[2]
The northern olingo is a nocturnal herbivore, feeding almost entirely on fruit, especially figs. It has been observed to drink the nectar of balsa trees during the dry season, and, on rare occasions, to pursue and eat small mammals, such as mice and squirrels. During the day, it sleeps in dens located in large trees.[4] It has an estimated home range of around 23 hectares (57 acres).[7]
Although it has been considered to be a solitary animal, it is often encountered in pairs, and may be more sociable than commonly believed. It is arboreal, spending much of its time in trees. Its tail is not prehensile, unlike that of the related kinkajous, although it can act as a balance.[4] The call of the northern olingo has been described as possessing two distinct notes, with a "whey-chuck" or "wey-toll" sound.[7]
The northern olingo has a diet and habitat similar to those of kinkajous, and, when resources are in short supply, the larger animal may drive it away from its preferred trees.[7] Predators known to feed on the northern olingo include the jaguarundi, ocelot, tayra, and several boas. It is believed to breed during the dry season, and to give birth to a single young after a gestation period of around ten weeks. It has lived for up to twenty-five years in captivity.[4]
The northern olingo (Bassaricyon gabbii), also known as the bushy-tailed olingo or as simply the olingo (due to it being the most commonly seen of the species), is a tree-dwelling member of the family Procyonidae, which also includes raccoons. It was the first species of olingo to be described, and while it is considered by some authors to be the only genuine olingo species, a recent review of the genus Bassaricyon has shown that there are a total of four olingo species, although two of the former species should now be considered as a part of this species. Its scientific name honors William More Gabb, who collected the first specimen. It is native to Central America.
