Tayra (
Eira barbara)
The tayra is found in the forests of central and South America. It is about the size of a mid-size dog. Tayras are both terrestrial and arboreal; terrestrial locomotion is usually composed of erratic, bouncing movements with the back arched and the tail along the ground. Arboreal movements along horizontal branches are more fluid, and the tail is used as a balancing rod. A tayra may leap for considerable distances, run up rocky cliffs, and bound from branch to branch in the trees. When alarmed, the tayra gives a short, barking call and seeks protection in the nearest tree. Although usually silent, the tayra has been known to give yowls, snarls, or clicks when in groups. (
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.ed...._barbara.html) It was also sometimes tamed by the indigeonous people and used to control rodents.