Veterinary students volunteering with Global Vets met some pretty interesting characters while they were in South America. At an animal refuge near Coroico, Bolivia the students met a particularly memorable character, a kinkajou.

A kinkajou (Potos flavus) is a nocturnal animal that loves climbing in the trees. They also happen to be extremely flexible. Kinkajous can rotate their bodies 180º. This means when their pelvis is facing one direction, their head can be facing the opposite. Their flexibility really comes in handy when they are dangling from branches and reaching for something to eat.

When they aren’t out looking for food, these animals are very playful and hilarious. The ones at the animal refuge in Bolivia got a kick out of playing with the dogs and squirrel monkeys that live with them. Despite having a funny streak kinkajous can get very cranky when disturbed from their daytime sleep, something the veterinary students learned from experience!

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Potos_flavus/

Want to learn more about the Global Vets teams and their adventures? Check out these stories!

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.