South Florida

Owning a Kinkajou: Is it for You?

Kinkajous have been all the rage ever since a South Florida woman woke up with one on her chest last week. And although the creatures are cuddly and cute, they can be quite a bit of work.

But let's back up. What exactly is a kinkajou?

"They are mammals belonging to the raccoon family," said Lauren Elizabeth, an exotic animal caretaker at Fowl Mouth Farm. "They're native to Mexico, Central America and parts of northern South America."

If you want to own one of these cute creatures, you need a "no-cost personal pet permit" from the Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission. The permit is free, but you need to complete a questionnaire in order to obtain it. In addition to the permit, you will need a certified breeder.

"You would like to look for a USDA and Florida Wildlife licensed breeder," said Elizabeth. "It's a good idea to ask for the breeders' license number and to verify through the organizations that they are licensed, because it is a legal issue."

If you're still considering getting yourself a kinkajou, experts say you should know what you are getting yourself into. First, do a lot of research. Kinkajous are omnivores and are awake at night. Don Harris, a veterinarian, said, "You better be a night owl. Because this is a nocturnal animal, non-negotiable."

And although cute, these animals can be pretty slick, as they have tendencies to open things that aren't carefully closed.

"They can figure out things and they're fairly smart," Harris said.

One owner said despite the tedious process of getting the kinkajou and it being nocturnal, it's totally worth it.

"What is there not to love about this little ball of fur? She's sweet, most of the time," said Shayna Lee. "She's hilarious, she cracks me up."

Lee said it's an animal that requires a lot of research, knowledge, time, attention and most of all: money. But if you take the right steps, you can safely and responsibly care for one of these adorable animals.

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