A Brief History
On August 15, 2013, a new carnivorous mammal was announced by the Smithsonian Institution, a two-pound animal resembling a racoon from the Andes in Columbia and Ecuador.
Digging Deeper
The Olinguito, dubbed Bassaricyon neblina in science talk, is the smallest member of the Procyonid family. Along with insects, the little guys also gobble some fruits and nectar.
The first new carnivorous mammal found in the Americas in the last 35 years, the Olinguito is certainly not the last new animal discovery of our lifetime. In fact, The Science Museum of Virgina reports that 18,000 new species are discovered every year! They also estimate that 91% of species that live underwater have yet to be discovered or classified.
In 1992, a giant species of Muntjac Deer was found in Vietnam, and in 1976 the 16 foot long Mega Mouth shark was first discovered. With animals of this large size being found in recent years, we wonder what critter will turn up next!
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: What new animal would startle you?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Markle, Sandra. The Search for Olinguito: Discovering a New Species. Millbrook Press, 2017.
Montgomery, Sy. Search for the Golden Moon Bear: Science and Adventure in Pursuit of a New Species. Moose Brook Books, 2023.
