Mystery pet in Belize.
December 31, 2012 11:34 AM
What exotic pet animal did I see in San Pedro, Belize?
I was walking in downtown San Pedro yesterday, and saw that a street vendor had an interesting little creature tied up on a leash next to her table. It was a little smaller than an average cat, had a long, pointed snout and a black nose, little black feet, and bristly greyish-beige fur. It was friendly, letting me pet it, nipping very gently at my hand and shirt, and trying to clamber up on me.
I wanted to ask the shopkeeper about it, but she was busy with an actual customer, and my phone was dead, so I couldn't take a picture; I thought I'd come back a little later, but when I did they were gone. Any ideas from the description? This is proving hard to google.
I was walking in downtown San Pedro yesterday, and saw that a street vendor had an interesting little creature tied up on a leash next to her table. It was a little smaller than an average cat, had a long, pointed snout and a black nose, little black feet, and bristly greyish-beige fur. It was friendly, letting me pet it, nipping very gently at my hand and shirt, and trying to clamber up on me.
I wanted to ask the shopkeeper about it, but she was busy with an actual customer, and my phone was dead, so I couldn't take a picture; I thought I'd come back a little later, but when I did they were gone. Any ideas from the description? This is proving hard to google.
Coati seems likely, but I'll add tayra to the list.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 11:48 AM on December 31, 2012
posted by Monsieur Caution at 11:48 AM on December 31, 2012
Almost certainly a coati, probably a white-nosed coati, which is endemic in the region and looks basically just as you describe. They are not uncommon as pets in Central America.
posted by drlith at 12:06 PM on December 31, 2012
posted by drlith at 12:06 PM on December 31, 2012
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posted by gubo at 11:43 AM on December 31, 2012