Coatis are active, social mammals recognized for their long noses and ringed tails. They live in groups, climb trees, and have diverse diets that sustain ecosystems throughout the Americas.
Coatis
Coatis belong to the raccoon family and live mainly in South and Central America, Mexico, and parts of the southwestern United States.
They have a distinctive long, pointed snout and a ringed, bushy tail that they often hold upright when moving.
Coatis can climb trees easily and often sleep, mate, and hide from predators in the branches.
Unlike many small mammals, coatis are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day.
Female coatis and their young live in social groups called “bands,” which can include up to 30 individuals.
Males are typically solitary creatures, joining female bands only during mating season.
Their diet is omnivorous, including fruits, insects, small mammals, reptiles, eggs, and carrion.
Coatis use their long claws and noses to forage, poking under rocks and digging through leaf litter for food.
They are excellent swimmers and often explore water sources during their daily activities.
Coatis communicate with a variety of sounds like clicks and woofs, especially when alarmed or socializing in groups.
Their ankles are very flexible and double-jointed, allowing them to descend trees headfirst—a rare trait among mammals.
Coatis’ sharp teeth and strong jaws help them to catch and consume a wide variety of prey and plant matter.
They create nests in the trees to protect their newborns, which remain with their mothers for about five to six weeks.
Their populations in some regions face threats from habitat loss and hunting, leading to conservation efforts.
Despite being seen as pests in some agricultural areas, coatis play important ecological roles by controlling insect and small animal populations.
