A forest-dwelling animal from the weasel family, native to the Americas, the tayra (Eira barbara) – also known as the grey-headed marten – is more reminiscent of a sleeker, smaller wolverine. In Brazil it is also commonly known as honeycomb-eater, one of its favourites foods. Most have either dark brown or black fur with an orange or yellow patch on the chest which is unique to each individual and can be useful for identification. The genus name Eira is derived from the indigenous name of the animal in Bolivia and Peru, while barbara means "strange" or "foreign". Tayras are found across all of Central America and most of South America. Like other members of the weasel family, it is at home both on the ground and in trees – living in the forest, in hollow trees, logs or burrows made by other animals.
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