Just when science thought it knew everything, a new species of mammal pops up on the radar. The Olinguito is the first new carnivore species to be found in the Western Hemisphere in the last 35 years! The olingo, an already-known species, is a member of the raccoon family and for years the Olinguito was mistakenly thought to be part of this family. Turns out its a completely different species all together.

The monkey-like Olinguito has a more reddish-orange pelt than the olingo’s brown coat, and the skull is different too – having a shorter snout and dissimilar teeth. Found frolicking quite happily in the misty treetops of the Andean cloud forests, the new species was found and identified by a team of researchers, zoologists and “olingo experts”. “It sort of bounced around the trees almost like a monkey,” zoologist Roland Kays said, “doing its thing, eating the figs.” Chilling out as an anonymous species in the world sounds quite idyllic.

The poor thing’s life is now destined to be pasted all over the internet as a new meme or, heaven forbid, for sale as an “exotic pet”. The Olinguito’s private life is over. It is now an animal celebrity of sorts. Stay tuned for the Olinguito diet and fashion guide.

Welcome to the internet, little buddy.

[Source : The Washington Post]