Kinkajous are nocturnal frugivorous mammals from Central and South America whose welfare in captivity requires specialized attention to their social, dietary, and temporal needs.
Kinkajous in zoos require complex arboreal enclosures with branches, ropes, and platforms that support their prehensile-tail locomotion. Their fruit-based diet should include varied fruits supplemented with nectar sources, invertebrates, and occasional protein. Nocturnal exhibits with reversed light cycles allow observation of natural foraging behavior. Social housing with compatible individuals is preferable given their wild social structure. As exotic pets, kinkajous suffer substantially: they are naturally nocturnal and become stressed by daytime handling, their specialized dietary needs are rarely met properly, and they can inflict serious bites when frightened. Discouraging the exotic pet trade is an important welfare and conservation priority.