FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A missing kinkajou suffering from frostbite to one paw has been reunited with its owner in Texas, sheriff's officials said.
A kinkajou is a small mammal related to the raccoon, and it is normally found in Central and South America, but this animal belonged to a little girl, said the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram.
The animal turned up in a Johnson County home after escaping from its owner, and apparently ran into another house to get out of the cold.
"At first they thought he might lose his foot to frostbite," said Detective Steve Shaw of the Johnson County Sheriff's Department. "But now it looks like it might just be a toe or two."
The animals don't normally make great pets, but having one isn't uncommon, said KXAS-TV, Dallas/Fort Worth.
The animals can be friendly, but can turn vicious and aggressive if they're scared.
Veterinarians caring for the animal feared it could lose a paw to frostbite, but later determined it might lose only a toe.
Being native to South and Central America, the kinkajou doesn't like cold temperatures, the report said.
