Kinkajous are social animals.
Kinkajous are members of the Procyonidae family, which includes raccoons, olingos, and ringtail cats. They are known to be solitary animals and do not live in groups like some other social mammals. However, they do have a complex social structure and have been observed displaying behaviors that suggest a level of sociality.
One study published in the journal “Mammalian Biology” found that kinkajous engage in social play and grooming, which are indicators of social behavior (1). The study also found that kinkajous have a strong sense of territory and will defend their territory against other kinkajous, suggesting that they have a level of social hierarchy (1).
Another study published in the journal “Animal Behaviour” observed the social behavior of kinkajous in captivity and found that they formed close bonds with each other, and even showed signs of grief when a group member died (2).
In addition, a study published in the journal “Acta Ethologica” found that kinkajous have a unique vocalization pattern that is used for communication, which suggests that they have a developed social communication system (3).
Overall, while kinkajous are not social animals in the classical sense, they do exhibit behaviors that suggest a level of sociality and have a complex social structure.