Raccoons and relatives

The raccoons, ringtails, cacomistles, coatis, kinkajous, olingos, and olinguitos are animals that inhabit a wide range of environments and are generally omnivorous in their diet habits. These are relatively small animals, with generally slender bodies and long tails. Because of their general build, the mamebers of this family are often popularly viewed as smaller cousins of the bear family. However, it is now believed that they are more closely related to mustelids than to bears. They are mostly solitary animals and mothers generally raise litters of up to four young on their own.