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| Coatis are also known as Coatimundis, Hog-Nosed Raccoons, |
Coatis are also known as Coatimundis, Hog-Nosed Raccoons, snookum bears and Brazilian Aardvarks. | ||
| Distinctive features of all species of coati include a long, ringed tail, which is often held erect. | Distinctive features of all species of coati include a long, ringed tail, which is often held erect. | ||
Revision as of 02:36, 12 July 2008
| Coatis | |
|---|---|
| |
| White-nosed Coati Nasua narica | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Procyonidae |
| Genus: | Nasua |
| Species | |
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with coatimundi. (Discuss) Proposed since December 2007. |
The name coati (Template:PronEng) is applied to any of three species of small neotropical mammals in the genus Nasua, family Procyonidae, ranging from southern Arizona to north of Argentina. They are largely insectivorous, but also eat fruit. A fourth animal, the dwarf Mountain Coati, is not a true coati, and belongs to the genus Nasuella. Genetic studies have shown that the closest relatives of the coatis are the olingos.
Coatis are also known as Coatimundis, Hog-Nosed Raccoons, snookum bears and Brazilian Aardvarks.
Distinctive features of all species of coati include a long, ringed tail, which is often held erect.
Unlike most members of the raccoon family (Procyonidae), coatis are primarily diurnal.
Coatis are one of the four species of procyonids commonly kept as pets in various parts of North, Central, and South America, the others being the raccoon (Common and Crab-Eating), the kinkajou, and ringtail or cacomistle (also known as the miner's cat and ring-tailed cat).
Physical characteristics
Coati have long, pointed muzzles, and long, bushy, ringed tails, and brownish fur. They range in size from 13 to 27 inches (330 mm to 690 mm) not including their tails, which can be just as long as their bodies. They weigh from 7 to 15 pounds (3 kg to 7 kg). Males are larger than females. The muzzle is extremely flexible and can be rotated up to 60 degrees in any direction. The face markings include white markings around the eyes and on the ears and snout. Coatis often hold the tail erect, and it used as such to keep troops of coatis together in tall vegatation.
Groups
The females live in groups of 4 to 24 individuals called bands. Males join bands only during the mating season.
Lifespan
Coati have been known to live for 14 years in captivity.
Habitat
In the wild, coati live in tropical rainforests, grasslands, and brushy areas of South America, Central America and southern North America, and are often seen in Costa Rica. They are excellent tree climbers. In fact, they can reverse their ankles - turn them around - so that they can climb down trees headfirst.
Daily life
Coati are diurnal and spend most of the day foraging for food. They are omnivores and eat both meat and plants. They eat small prey like lizards, insects, rodents, snails, and small birds, as well as fruit and nuts. Coati are also one of the few species of animals which are capable of consuming large tarantulas although they are not immune to its bite or the urticating hairs of the tarantula. They often eat while hanging upside down from a tree branch. A coati finds food using its keen sense of smell.
Species
- Ring-tailed coati, Nasua nasua
- White-nosed Coati, Pizote or Antoon, Nasua narica
- Cozumel Island Coati, Nasua nelsoni
References
- K.-P. Koepfli, M. E. Gompper, E. Eizirik, C.-C. Ho, L. Linden, J. E. Maldonado, R. K. Wayne (2007). "Phylogeny of the Procyonidae (Mammalia: Carvnivora): Molecules, morphology and the Great American Interchange". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 43: 1076–1095. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.003.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Gallery
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Unknown Coati at Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
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Unknown Coati at Tikal, Guatemala
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Ring-tailed Coati Nasua nasua in an English zoo
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White-nosed Coati in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica
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Coati near Iguazu Falls, Brazil
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Coatis foraging in trash near Christ the Redeemer (statue), Brazil
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White-nosed Coati on Mt. Hopkins near Madera Canyon, Arizona
