What's a Weasel and Lives in Costa Rica - Tayra?
Written by Marina K. Villatoro   
Saturday, 24 April 2010 07:08
The Tayra is an omnivorous animal which means it eats plants and meat. It belongs to a weasel family called mustelidae. It is also known by the name of Perico ligero. Indigenous people also often refer to the tayra as "cabeza del viejo", or old man's head, due to their wrinkled facial skin, have kept them as household pets.
by MarinaK.Villatoro


The Tayra is an omnivorous animal which means it eats plants and meat. It belongs to a weasel family called mustelidae. It is also known by the name of Perico ligero. Indigenous people also often refer to the tayra as "cabeza del viejo", or old man's head, due to their wrinkled facial skin, have kept them as household pets.

Tayras live in the tropical forests of Central America, South America and on the island of Trinidad. Their main food is fruit but they also like carrion, small mammals, reptiles and birds. They make hollow trees, burrows in the ground, or nests of tall grass as their house. They travel both alone and in groups during both the day and the night. These guys are expert climbers, and can leap from treetop to treetop when pursued. They can also run fast and swim well.

Tyras are pretty small in height growing up to 60 cm. However, their tails are almost 45 cm long. Most of them have either dark brown or black fur with a lighter patch on its chest. The fur on its head changes to brown or gray as it ages.

These guys make the tropical forests of Central America its home. They make hollow trees, burrows in the ground, or nests of tall grass their home. They travel both alone and in groups during the day and the night. They eat mainly fruits but they also like carrion, small mammals, reptiles and birds.

Although Tyras are seen all the time, they are basically nocturnal. They forage on the ground or in trees, but do not forage in water like otters. They are curious foragers, and eat a wide variety of foods. They are sometimes seen living alone and sometimes with families. Their interactions can be annoying sometimes as they are really loud when they talk. Their litters can have up to 2 active, playful young.

They are intelligent animals and can become pets. Indigenous people, who often refer to this animal as "cabeza del viejo", or old man's head, due to their wrinkled facial skin, have kept them as household pets. Wild tayra populations are slowly shrinking, especially in Mexico, due to habitat destruction for agricultural purposes. Though the species as a whole is listed as a Least Concern species, the northernmost subspecies, Eira Barbara Senex, is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Tayra's staple food is fruit, small vertebrates and invertebrates, eggs, lizards and carrion. Like raccoons, coyotes and small cats, they also eat agouti and rabbits sometimes. They will even climb on trees to get eggs or honey. They are attracted to fruit and can be found raiding orchards.

About the Author:

Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!
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