Animals on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
With a head-body length of 56-68 cm the tayra is a relatively large marten species - a member of the weasel family.
They live in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Their fur is a dark brown with a thick, bushy tail.
Only in Costa Rica and Panama tayras can also have a totally black fur. The animals live on the ground and are also excellent
climbers. They are very playful and live on a diet of mainly fruit, but also carrion, small mammals, reptiles, and birds.
Tayras are sometimes confounded with jaguarundis, a small wild cat.