Do you know what a kinkajou is?
Most of us don’t — or at least didn’t until we read the local news story Thursday about a 16-year-old girl who was sent to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger for six days because of a kinkajou bite.
A kinkajou is a native Central or South American animal, kin to a raccoon. It has soft, yellowish-brown fur, big eyes and a long tail. By some accounts, kinkajous are cute, and some people like them as pets. They may live as long as 40 years. But evidently, you don’t want to be bitten by one!
The local girl who was bitten by a pet kinkajou reportedly suffered severe headaches and a 102-degree temperature, among other symptoms. That necessitated her hospital stay.
Many people like pets — by which they usually mean cats or dogs.
But however cute and lovable an exotic (or more traditional) pet may be, it’s best to exercise reasonable caution with them.