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Coatimundi (Coati)
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| The Coati (pronounced coh-AH-tee) is a
strange looking animal that bears some resemblance to a raccoon. In fact
the animals, along with ringtails, are part of the same family, called
Procyonidae. Coatis are longer, taller and thinner than a
raccoon, with a pointy nose and a two foot long tail which they hold
vertically. |
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Natural
History |
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Coatis live in higher altitude mountains
and canyons during the summer,
 occasionally
moving to lower elevations during the winter months. They are omnivorous
and will eat anything from grubs, beetles and other insects, to fruits,
nuts, rodents, eggs, and reptiles.
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These Coati photos were taken at
the Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum. I have also seen groups of
Coati in the wild in Aravaipa Canyon. |
They find their food by using their long claws to dig
through dirt and leaves and will also turn over large rocks or branches
to search for insects or lizards. They are most active during the
morning and afternoon hours, and usually take refuge at night in a tree
or cave. Coatis are very social animals and usually live in large groups
of 20 or more individuals. The groups consist solely of females and
their young. Males usually travel alone except during breeding season.
Pregnant females will leave the group to give birth and usually have 4-6
offspring. After a few weeks, when the babies are big enough to follow,
the female will re-join the group. |
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