Photo credit: Pete Oxford, Nature Picture Library (naturepl.com)

Source: http://www.arkive.org/tayra/eira-barbara/image-G86518.html

Common Name: Tayra; "Chien Bois" – Forest dog / high woods dog.

Physical Description: The Tayra has short, course fur with soft underfur. The body of the Tayra is generally dark brown or black, with the exception of the head and neck, which can often be paler in colour. This species also has a triangular patch on its chest which is generally white to yellow in colour. The Tayra has a large, slender, muscular body with a tail that is two thirds the length of its body. They have strong claws adapted for climbing and running, indicating preference for terrestrial and arboreal environments. Males are generally larger than females.

Behaviour: The Tayra has been described as an opportunistic omnivore with a diverse range of food sources including small and medium sized vertebrates, invertebrates, fruits, honey, and carrion. Although they have been classified as forest specialists, this species is able to forage in disturbed areas, agricultural lands and forested areas near human settlements. The Tayra has thus developed various foraging methods such as caching fruits. Although the species has been described as solitary, they have been recorded foraging in pairs or small groups. This species is active during the day mostly during twilight hours. Tayras have been known to construct dens in hollow trees.

Distribution/ Range: This species has a large home range for its size and its distribution covers many different forest habitats. They are generally found in tropical and neo-tropical forests in Central and South American countries as well as Trinidad and Tobago.

Cultural Significance: This species has been historically domesticated by indigenous cultures for the purposes of pest control.

Threats: Their main threat is loss of habitat and hunting.

Legal Status: The Tayra is currently identified as a locally endangered species under the Draft Forest Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill.

References:

Cuarón, A.D., Reid, F. & Helgen, K. 2008. Eira barbara. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41644/0.

Delgado-V, C.A., A. Arias-Alzate, S. Botero and J.D. Sanchez-Londono. 2011. “Behaviour of the Tayra Eira barbara near Medellin, Colombia: preliminary data from a video-capturing survey.” Small Carnivore Conservation 44 (2011): 19-21.

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2014. “Tayra.” Accessed January, 2015. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/584948/tayra

Encyclopaedia of Life. 2009. “ Mustilidae: Badgers, Otters, Weasels and Relatives.” Accessed January, 2015. http://eol.org/pages/7670/overview

Hailey, Adrian, ed. 2014. “The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago.” Department of Life Sciences: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Accessed January, 2015. http://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/ogatt.asp

Presley, S.J. 2000. “Eira barbara.” Mammalian Species 636: 1-6.

Schreffler, C. 2003. "Eira barbara" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January, 2015 at http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eira_barbara/

Soley, F.G. 2012. “Notes on the flexibility of foraging behaviour in Tayras, Eira Barbara.” Small Carnivore Conservation 46: 33-35.

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). nd. “ Tayra, Greyheaded Tayra ( Eira Barbara). Accessed January 2, 2015. http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/pick-a-picture/eira-barbara.

Wund, M. 2005. "Mustelidae" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January, 2015 http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mustelidae/