Olinguito

Fun Facts for Kids

• ‘Bassaricyon neblina’ is this animal’s scientific name. The researchers chose the Spanish for “mist” or “fog” - “neblina”, in reference to this species’ habitat in cloud forests of the Andes Mountains.
• This species is the first carnivore discovered in the last 365 years in the western hemisphere. This research was over a period of 10 years. An individual was exhibited in American zoos in the 1970s (including the National Zoo and the Bronx Zoo) as an olingo. It was moved among different zoos as it wouldn’t breed with any of the olingos.
• Since being described in 2013, residents who live near its Ecuadorean habitat have provided researchers with many photographs and videos of the creatures, helping the scientists learn more about the animal’s diet, breeding, and further habits. In 2014, researchers were thus able to have their first look at a nest of this species — high up in the forest canopy—with a baby olinguito in it.