Kinkajou Found In Texas: An Exotic Animal Mystery (VIDEO)

An exotic kinkajou named Pikachu was discovered entering a stranger's home in Texas. It's quite possibly the cutest mystery ever.

According to NBC News, the kinkajou -- an animal native to the forests of Central and South America -- was found in Johnson County, Texas trying to enter a house. The animal's feet were blistered from the cold. Officials are conducting an investigation to determine just how the animal wound up in Texas. For now, the kinkajou will remain at the Humane Society, where it is being cared for.

While kinkajous resemble primates, they are actually part of the raccoon family. According to National Geographic, they are known to raid bees' nests, using their skinny tongues to slurp honey.

This Kinkajou isn't the first exotic animal to suffer in a new climate. Attacks by pet tigers, sharks, and snakes in the U.S. have often been deemed the result of forcing animals to live in a foreign, unnatural environment. Luckily for this Kinkajou, her foreign environment is now a bit more welcoming.

WATCH the mystery of a kinkajou in Texas:

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Comments

[NoElephants]

08:05 PM on 02/23/2011

I was on a school trip to Costa Rica doing some Sea Tortoise conservation work on the Caribbean coast. One night, we went back to our hut, and found a kinkajou that had busted in and made a nest in my duffel bag. Looking back on this now I'm guessing this wasn't the safest idea, but we played with the little guy all night - he acted like a fully domesticated puppy!

[f8doggie]

11:14 AM on 02/16/2011

I can't imagine that an exotic pet, that expensive, would not have a microchip. I'm sure the little fellow will get a home or be sent to a good zoo.

[rbenjamin]

10:51 AM on 02/16/2011

When I first heard a kinkajou had been spotted in Texas I thought great, the Legendary Texas Jewboys are touring again! Sadly, it's just an ugly exotic species and Kinky is still in semi retirement, at least musically speaking.

[planetjeffy]

08:09 PM on 02/15/2011

I visited a quarantine station in south Texas years ago and they had a Kinkajou waiting to clear the 30 day quarantine. Very cute, smart and sweet animal - but I wondered why anyone would want an animal like that.

[garystartswithg]

09:16 PM on 02/15/2011

Paris Hilton had one that she surrendered after it sent her to the emergency room. Its entirely possible this was someone's pet that got out. You can buy them in some states and they don't ask you for papers to find out if its legal back home -- like Paris' was purchased in Nevada and was not legal in California.

[bcmom]

07:56 PM on 02/15/2011

I do not live far from Johnson County. This does not surprise me.

[MajorKong]

07:25 PM on 02/15/2011

Just make sure nobody tells Ted Nugent.

[janie@atthelake]

08:33 PM on 02/15/2011

or Rick Perry.

[MISTERUNCONVENTIONAL]

08:40 PM on 02/15/2011

or SP. She's warming up the helicopter.

[kisskins]

06:54 PM on 02/15/2011

How did he get over that fence?

[seajewel]

06:47 PM on 02/15/2011

Looks like he's in good hands, the woman taking care of him really cares for him you can tell.

[Tblack]

09:15 PM on 02/15/2011

I agree. I'm glad she mentioned that they can be vicious if startled. You know this country will all of a sudden want one in every home. Having said that he seems happy as pie to be warm. Cute.

[The Albany Kid]

06:45 PM on 02/15/2011

Perhaps the long lost cousin of Paris Hilton's former pet kinkajou, "Babyluv."

http://www.thesuperficial.com/paris_hilton_kicks_out_baby_lu-02-2007

[up2uamerica]

06:29 PM on 02/15/2011

They need to send it home to the jungle, don't people have better things to do than displace poor helpless animals?

[edgarcaycedoc]

07:07 PM on 02/15/2011

That is probably their long term goal. But until it is better, it needs medical oversight. Rehabilitation is the goal for many animal workers, as I hope it is with these folks working with this cute little feller.

[VirginiaJeff]

06:18 PM on 02/15/2011

 
They better not get it wet ...

[hippy26ish]

06:21 PM on 02/15/2011

such a dumb comment. you disgust me

[seajewel]

06:46 PM on 02/15/2011

right disgusting faved

[Matt1964]

06:49 PM on 02/15/2011

such a dogmatic reply. you repulse me.

[Debbie338]

06:33 PM on 02/15/2011

No wonder you're hiding your face.

[Matt1964]

06:51 PM on 02/15/2011

just like the face creams and make-up you use, made from every other animal part.
Hiding your face out of shame. You repulse me.

[HHUA]

06:10 PM on 02/15/2011

Poor little fella.

Sadly, animals like this shouldn't be taken out of the wild to be "pets" but that's vain, narcissistic humans for you.

[ShoeSiren]

05:32 PM on 02/15/2011

Aww...what a cutie. And his poor little paws. :( Hopefully he's in good hands now.

[StansDad]

06:28 PM on 02/15/2011

Hopefully he's deported before he comes in and takes the jobs of all the North American animals!

[linderella]

06:39 PM on 02/15/2011

bet he is actually from the middle east trying to sneak across the border....

[Ralph Noyes]

08:05 PM on 02/15/2011

And as the Repuques are always telling us, EVERY immigrant is a _ter.ror.ist.