Forest Dog - Tayra

 What is a Tayra (forest dog)?

A Tayra is a small dog-like animal that lives in the forest. Its scientific name is Eira Barbara and is a part of the weasel family. It is also called the Forest Dog, High Wood Dog, or Chien Bois. Tayras are carnivorous mammals. They have four legs and a long bushy tail. Their fur is very coarse and dark, usually brown, or black. As Tayras get older, the fur on the top of their neck and head gets lighter. They can range in weight from 2.7 to 7 kilograms and can measure between 60 to 68 centimetres with the length of their tail ranging between 39 to 47 centimetres.

Figure 1: Showing a Tayra on a tree branch (Just Fun Facts 2020)

What should we know about Tayras?

Tayras have been identified as a locally endangered species, meaning that they cannot be hunted, and all conservation efforts are being used to protect this animal. These mammals usually stay in the forest, but they travel wide ranges. They feed on small vertebrates, fruits, and sometimes honey. Tayras are most active during early mornings and late evenings. They have very poor eyesight, so they rely heavily on their sense of smell. Tayras actively hunt their prey and use their strong hind legs to stand upright to examine their surroundings.  Their somewhat webbed feet make them decent swimmers. Not much is known about the reproduction process of the Tayra, but the gestation period lasts for 63 to 70 days with a litter ranging from 2 to 3 pups. Breeding usually occurs between March and July.  

Figure 2: showing a Tayra on the hunt (Animalia 2021)

How can we protect them?

We can protect these endangered animals by avoiding deforestation since Tayras live in forested areas. The more deforestation that occurs, the smaller the habitat of the Tayra gets. Since the hunting season is currently open in Trinidad and Tobago, hunters should also be wary of the method of hunting that they use. Certain traps can cause injury to these protected animals. These traps should be avoided since Tayra may fall prey to them. In addition, being a responsible hunter is important. This means checking traps regularly to ensure that non-target prey is not captured and using traps that are specific to the animal being hunted.

Figure 3: showing an encaptured Tayra (Adobe Stock 2020)


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