A 100-year-old woman woke in the middle of the night to find a rare rainforest animal cuddled up on her chest.

The pensioner was left terrified when the four-legged kinkajou - an animal usually found in the jungles of Central and South America - climbed into bed with her and fell asleep.

Stranded with her surprise guest, the woman phoned her daughter, whose husband Carlos Aguaras picked up the phone.

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A 100-year-old woman woke in the middle of the night to find a rare rainforest animal cuddled up on her chest. The pensioner was left terrified when the four-legged kinkajou (pictured) - an animal usually found in the jungles of Central and South America - climbed into bed with her and fell asleep

She then begged him to come over and catch the hairy beast.

Mr Aguaras said: 'I was awaken by a phone call at 2am which is never good news, and it was from my terrified mother-in-law.'

He explained he then shot round to her home - where she lives with a carer who was fast asleep - to try and capture the wild animal.

By the time he arrived, the kinkajou - which typically spend most of their time in trees - had made it into the home's attic.

He managed to lour it out with food before capturing it in a cage and taking it to the vet.

As it turned out, he knew exactly where the animal had come from.

Dr Don J. Harris at the South Dade Avian and Exotic Animal Medical Center recognised the kinkajou as Banana - a local's prized pet.

After escaping it was taken to the South Dade Animal Hospital for care. It will be reunited with its owner later on today.

Kinkajous can turn their feet backwards, making it easy for them to run in both directions. Spending much of their time up tall trees, the monkey-like creatures are commonly seen hanging from their tails when out in the wild.

After escaping it was taken to the South Dade Animal Hospital (pictured) for care. It will be reunited with its owner later on today

According to National Geographic, they are sometimes called 'honey bears' because they raid bees' nests by slurping honey from the hive.

There is yet to be any word on how the animal managed to escape.

However, the 100-year-old's family certainly hope this will be the last time.