Tyra: “Catdog” in reality. Barks, but not a dog. Climb trees, but not a cat. Tamed, but not a pet (6 photos)

Guess the riddle: it’s barking, but it’s not a dog. Climb trees, but not a cat. Tamable, but not a pet. I’ll give those who are especially gifted a couple of minutes to think about it. And the smartest ones have already read the answer in the title. Say hello to Taira, a real-life cat dog from the jungle.





And the face looks like a bear...

Our baby was born in the wilds of Central and South America. Unlike a cartoon cross between a cat and a dog, the Taira looks very elegant: a flexible body, a long fluffy tail, button eyes - a sight for sore eyes, not a beast. Tyra's character is also far from cartoonish. If the cat-dog from the series was an outright terrapin, then his real South American version will not allow himself to be offended. Taira is a member of the mustelidae family. And these guys are the personification of reckless rage.



So behind the cute appearance lies a truly predatory essence. The animal carries out bloody massacres under the cover of night. In the matter of killing, they show amazing versatility: in pursuit of prey, tayras will swim across a river, climb a tree, and climb into a hole. Everything suitable for meat is distributed: hares, rodents and - suddenly - deer. But not simple ones, but South American, dwarf ones.





At the same time, tayra is also not averse to enjoying fruits, honey and carrion.

In general, all martens are distant relatives of dogs and bears. But Tyra is ironclad proof of this, she can bark. Moreover, it is so convincing that it is quite difficult to distinguish them by ear from a simple Sharik. However, the Tayr vocabulary includes not only barking, but also many other sounds. And all because Cotops live in small family groups - together it is more convenient to terrorize the area.



Due to its unpretentiousness, the tayra population remains at a stable level. But in some regions, such as Mexico, it is declining due to targeted hunting.

Unfortunately, neither the cartoon nor the scientists can give an answer about where cotops come from. But it is known that newborn tayra are naked, blind and marinate in their mother for about 70 days. After a few weeks, the babies open their eyes, and after another month they become avid meat eaters. You can sell beer to young tiras after six months, but they live with mom and dad until they drive them away.



The way my mother looks at me when she subtly hints that it’s time for me to move on to an independent adult life.

Tairas have surprisingly good relationships with people. Unlike imported martens, they will not prey on poultry. But for harmful mice and rats, cotops are a real rodent-mageddon: quick death awaits unwary lovers of seeds and cereals. Alas, it was not possible to conclude a truce with all bipeds. Tyra was unlucky to become the owner of a chic fur coat that people strive to take off.



Taira's only weakness is bananas. Sometimes these animals cause damage to plantations. But their damage is not commensurate with the benefit, so the martens are not touched.

But let's end on a positive note - the cathops can be tamed! Among the local Indians, tayras replace cats. These animals are good-natured, love activity and are excellent at killing mice. But some caution is, of course, necessary when dealing with them: their claws and teeth are just what you need. Tayras can please their owners for up to 19 years, which is twice as long as in the wild.