Manicou & Aguti: Manicou River Eco Resort.

What is a manicou?

Manicou: man·i·cou [ mánni k ] (plural man·i·cous) The word comes from the Native American language for an opossum (Didelphis marsupialis).

These private furry marsupials live in our woodlands along with Agouti. They are about the same size as cat with a fine and smooth tail that can measure 50 cm. They have 50 teeth. They live to around 2 1/2 years old. The Manicou is a nocturnal animal that spends the day curled up with its head under the rest of its body sleeping in the hollow of a tree.

The Manicou eats fruits particularly our mangoes that grow along the Manicou River at the resort hence the river was named after them. They also eat worms, frogs, and insects but sometimes birds and eggs. While primarily terrestrial, common Manicou are cleaver climbers and will venture into the branches in search of food such as fruit.

When the Manicou feels in danger, it emits a disagreeable smell. Not as bad as a skunk and they dont hang around long. You will be very lucky to see one, so feel happy when one appears.

The Red cedar cottage has regular visits and the fruit loving Manicou may even be seen in the morning and evening light there so "sshhhhh" and watch