Mammals nocturnal

Olinguito

Bassaricyon neblina

Meet the 'mist-walker' of the Andes, a teddy-bear-faced mammal that remained hidden from science until 2013. This elusive, woolly resident of the cloud forest is the smallest member of the raccoon family.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length of 13-16 inches (32-40 cm), tail length of 13-17 inches (33-43 cm); weight between 1.7-2.4 lbs (0.75-1.1 kg).

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Colors

Dense, woolly reddish-brown or orange-brown fur with dark tips; underbelly is a lighter cream or yellowish color.

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Key Features

Thick, woolly fur adapted for cold mist
Long, bushy non-prehensile tail
Large, forward-facing brown eyes
Small, rounded ears nearly hidden in fur
Short, blunt muzzle

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 8 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily frugivorous, with a strong preference for wild figs. They also consume nectar and occasionally supplement their diet with insects or small vertebrates.

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Habitat High-altitude montane cloud forests of the Andes, typically between 5,000 and 9,000 feet (1,500 to 2,700 meters).

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Behavior

The Olinguito is a master of the Andean canopy, spending almost its entire life high above the forest floor. These agile mammals are expert leapers, capable of jumping from branch to branch through the dense, mossy vegetation of the cloud forest. While they are members of the order Carnivora, they are primarily solitary and spend their nights quietly searching for fruit in the mist.

Because they live in high-altitude environments where temperatures drop significantly at night, their thick, woolly fur is an essential adaptation for thermoregulation. They are generally shy and avoid human interaction, though they have been known to visit fruit feeders at eco-lodges within their range. Mothers are devoted parents, typically raising a single kit at a time, hidden away in tree hollows.

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Camera Tips

To capture an Olinguito on a trail camera, you must move your perspective off the ground. These animals are strictly arboreal, meaning ground-level sets will almost never find them. Look for 'canopy highways'—thick, horizontal branches covered in moss and epiphytes that connect different fruit-bearing trees. Mounting your camera 10 to 20 feet up a trunk, angled toward one of these crossing points, is the most effective strategy.

Attractants are highly recommended for this species. A small platform or mesh bag containing overripe bananas, figs, or even a smear of honey can entice an Olinguito to linger in front of the lens. Since they are nocturnal and live in high-humidity 'mist forests,' lens fogging is your biggest enemy. We recommend using a camera with a high-quality glass lens and applying a rain-repellent or anti-fog coating to the external housing to ensure your images remain crisp in the damp mountain air.

Settings-wise, prioritize a fast trigger speed (0.3 seconds or less) because Olinguitos move with surprising agility. Use a 'No-Glow' or Black LED infrared flash to avoid startling the animal, which might cause it to abandon the feeding site. Setting your camera to record 15-20 second video clips is often more rewarding than still photos, as it allows you to observe their unique climbing mechanics and vocalizations, which include soft chirps and whistles.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Olinguito.

Northern Olingo

The Olingo is larger, has shorter and more grayish fur, and typically lives at lower elevations than the Olinguito.

Kinkajou

Kinkajous have a prehensile (gripping) tail and a much shorter, velvet-like coat compared to the Olinguito's bushy tail and woolly fur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Olinguito are strictly nocturnal, meaning they are most active under the cover of darkness. They typically emerge shortly after sunset, with peak foraging activity occurring between 8 PM and 3 AM before they retreat to their sleeping dens before dawn.

If you live within their specific high-altitude Andean range, you can attract Olinguito by maintaining native fruit-bearing trees like wild figs. They are also known to visit elevated platforms containing bananas or nectar feeders intended for hummingbirds and honeycreepers.

Olinguito are primarily fruit-eaters, with figs making up a large portion of their diet. However, they are opportunistic omnivores and will also consume floral nectar, insects, and occasionally small birds or mice if the opportunity arises.

No, Olinguito are highly specialized for cloud forest environments. While they may appear near rural homes or eco-lodges that border protected forests, they are not found in typical suburban or lowland urban areas.

The Olinguito is smaller and has much thicker, fluffier fur than the Olingo. While Olingos have a more grayish-brown, short-haired coat, the Olinguito sports a rich, 'toasted' orange-brown woolly coat and a shorter muzzle.

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