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Tayra - EIRA BARBARA
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Tayra": "Tayra" is of unknown origin, but probably a native South American word.
Location: Most of Central and South America.
Habitat: Terrestrial. Woodlands and areas rich in vegetation
Description: The body is slender with legs of medium length, much like the marten. The long neck supports a head that is quite large in relation to the body; the ears are round and short. The dense, short, very soft coat is brown with yellowish areas in some individuals; the head is usually paler than the body. The length of the head and body is about two feet, with a tail about 18 inches. They weigh about ten pounds.
Behavior: This animal lives alone or in a pair around the mating season. It eats guinea pigs, mice, squirrels, and agoutis, and often preys on poultry. It will also eat fruits and insects. It is active both day and night, and rarely rests. It climbs nimbly up and down trees, and hides in hollows in branches or in the underground burrows of other animals which it has killed.
Reproduction: The female probably reproduces at different times of the year, and gives birth to two to four young in each litter. Little else is known about the reproduction and infancy of the tayra.
Note: This species is sometimes kept by local people to help control rodents in their homes and gardens.
Go to the Carnivore Page to learn more about all the meat-eating animals.
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