White-Nosed Coati

ANIMAL:
White-Nosed Coati Nasua narica

Type of Animal:
Raccoon

Habitat:
Woodlands/forests of all types, woody canyons, savanna, grassland, desert, scrub forest

Location(s):
From S.E. Arizona & New Mexico south to N.W. Colombia.

Appearance:
Males larger than females, striped tail, brownish-grayish coloration w/ white nose, fairly pointy ears, long nose.

Food/Diet:
Beetles, termites, ants, grubs, centipedes, spiders, scorpions, earthworms, snails, eggs, frogs, rodents, birds, tamarins, marmosets, lizards, snakes, carrion, nuts, fruit, leaves, young crocodilians, young tortoises

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Breeding in zoos & wildlife parks.

Lifestyle:
Females along w/ offspring up to age of 2 live in bands of 15-30 animals. Males solitary.

Additional Info:

Called:
Male-Boar
Female-Sow
Young-Kit
Group-Band

Weight:
Male-10-15 lbs
Female-8 lbs
Young-0.75-1 lb

Gestation:
6 months

Height:
1.16 ft

Body Length:
Male-3.74 ft
Female-3.37 ft

Life Span: 
8-14 years

Tail Length:
Male-1.87 ft
Female-1.68 ft

Main predators are felids, raptors, large snakes, crocodilians, domestic/feral dogs, bush dogs, & coyotes. Tayras, capuchins, large venomous snakes, & male coatis prey on kits.

Males engage in deadly fights during breeding season.

Each female gives birth to 2-7 young.

They have a very good sense of smell.

They have prehensile tail used for hanging from trees.

Females are often very vocal in their group.

Ankles double-jointed & very flexible.

Seen as beneficial keeping rodent & insect populations in check.

They’re also seen as crop pests.

Sometimes hunted for meat by natives.

Sexually mature at 2 years old.

Tail used for communication.

They often dip noses into areas w/ good smells.

Fun Fact(s):
Sometimes called a “hog-nosed coon”.

They’re very destructive animals & require strong caging.

Colloquial name “coatimundi” refers to the solitary males.

They’re quite common in pet trade & have different kinds of temperaments from really sweet to very aggressive. Claws and teeth can cause good amount of damage.