Coati

Coatis, also known as coatimundis, are members of the family Procyonidae and form the subtribe Nasuina, encompassing the genera Nasua and Nasuella. Their name derives from the Tupian languages of Brazil and is traditionally interpreted as meaning ‘lone coati’. These mammals are predominantly diurnal and are native to a wide geographical range across South America, Central America, Mexico and parts of the south-western United States. Local names vary, with the species known as ‘quash’ in Belize. Coatis are well adapted to diverse habitats and exhibit a complex behavioural and social structure, reflected in their foraging habits, locomotion and group dynamics.

Physical characteristics

Adult coatis are comparable in size to a large domestic cat. Body length from head to the base of the tail varies, and the tail itself may equal or exceed the length of the body. Shoulder height is moderate, and weight ranges widely among species, with males often growing almost twice as large as females. Males also possess notably large and sharp canine teeth. The mountain coatis are considerably smaller than the white-nosed and South American species.
Shared morphological features across all coati species include a slender head, small rounded ears, dark feet and an elongated, slightly upturned, highly flexible snout capable of rotating approximately 60 degrees. The snout facilitates probing, pushing and smelling activities central to foraging. Facial markings often include white patches around the eyes, ears and snout.
The tail is long and non-prehensile, typically marked with rings that vary from sharply defined to faint. The rings encircle the entire tail, distinguishing coatis from certain related species such as ringtails and cacomistles. Coatis frequently hold their tail erect while moving through tall vegetation, assisting group cohesion. Although the tail can move slightly at the tip, it does not function for grasping as in the kinkajou.
Coatis possess plantigrade locomotion, walking on the soles of their feet like bears and raccoons. Their paws resemble those of these relatives, and their claws are non-retractable. A distinctive feature is the ability to rotate the ankles more than 180 degrees, enabling them to descend trees head-first—an adaptation shared with raccoons and some other carnivorans. This trait has evolved independently among various forest-dwelling mammals through convergent evolution. Their limbs are strong for climbing and digging, and their cognition parallels that of other procyonids.
Most coatis are diurnal, though certain populations may show cathemeral activity patterns. They sleep or rest in elevated forest niches, often using simple nests built in trees.

Habitat and geographical range

Coatis occupy a broad spectrum of habitats, including arid regions, grasslands, dense Amazonian forests and cold Andean slopes. Their range extends from southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas through Mexico and Central America to northern Uruguay. Isolated populations have been reported, including a small breeding group in Cumbria, United Kingdom. Their adaptability to various elevations and climates underscores their ecological flexibility.

Taxonomy and evolutionary relationships

The subtribe Nasuina comprises two genera:

• Genus Nasua
  • White-nosed coati (Nasua narica): distributed from the south-western United States through Mexico and Central America into Colombia.
  • South American coati (Nasua nasua): native to South America.
• Genus Nasuella
  • Eastern mountain coati (Nasuella meridensis): found in Venezuela.
  • Western mountain coati (Nasuella olivacea): located in Colombia and Ecuador.

The Cozumel Island coati is recognised as a subspecies (N. narica nelsoni) of the white-nosed coati rather than a separate species. Genetic research, particularly cytochrome-b analyses, suggests that the genus Nasuella may be nested within Nasua, rendering the latter paraphyletic if kept separate. Additional genetic studies identify olingos (Bassaricyon) as the closest relatives of coatis, with divergence estimated at around 10.2 million years ago.

Lifespan

In the wild, coatis typically live up to seven years. Captive individuals benefit from stable food availability and veterinary care, often surviving around 14 years, with some living into their late teens.

Feeding habits

As omnivores, coatis consume a varied diet comprising plant matter, fruit, invertebrates such as tarantulas, and occasional small vertebrates including lizards, rodents and small birds. They may also eat bird and reptile eggs. Their acute sense of smell and flexible snout, combined with strong forelimbs, enable them to root through soil and leaf litter in a hog-like fashion when seeking invertebrates.

Behaviour and social organisation

Knowledge of mountain coati behaviour is limited, and most information derives from studies of Nasua species. Coatis are primarily diurnal and exhibit pronounced sociality, especially among females and juvenile males, who form bands of between four and 25 individuals. These groups forage noisily both on the ground and in trees. Adult males become solitary at approximately two years of age due to behavioural tendencies and exclusion by females, although they temporarily rejoin bands during the breeding season.
When threatened, coatis are capable of vigorous defence. Their sharp canines, powerful jaws, rapid forelimb strikes and tough, well-attached skin reduce vulnerability to predators such as dogs or jaguars. Vocal communication includes chirping, snorting and grunting, each signalling different behavioural intentions. Social grooming, appeasement after conflict and signs of irritation or aggression are conveyed through specific sounds. Body language—such as hiding the snout between the paws for submission or baring teeth during aggression—plays an important role.
Coatis recognise individuals by sight, vocal cues and scent. Distinctive personal odours are produced by musk glands on the neck and abdomen. Observations in Panama report coatis rubbing themselves and one another with resin from Trattinnickia aspera trees, possibly for insect repulsion, antifungal protection or scent marking. Coatis mark objects with preputial gland secretions but lack anal glands.

Reproduction

Breeding corresponds with the onset of the rainy season, varying regionally but commonly falling between January and March or between October and February. Female groups, which may comprise 5–40 individuals, accept a solitary adult male at the start of the mating season, forming a polygynous system. Pregnant females later isolate themselves to construct nests in trees or rocky crevices. After a gestation period of roughly 11 weeks, they give birth to litters of three to seven young. Mothers and offspring rejoin the band after about six weeks. Females reach sexual maturity at two years, whereas males mature at three.

Natural predators

Coatis face predation from a wide range of carnivores and large reptiles, including jaguarundis, cougars, maned wolves, anacondas, boa constrictors, foxes, dogs, tayras, ocelots and jaguars. Raptors such as harpy eagles, ornate hawk-eagles and black-and-chestnut eagles also prey on them. White-headed capuchin monkeys have been recorded hunting coati pups.

Conservation status

Across Central and South America, coati populations experience pressure from habitat destruction and unregulated hunting. There is concern that inadequate population data may result in underestimating their conservation needs and overlooking ecological challenges affecting various species within the group.

Coatis in captivity

Coatis are one of several procyonids commonly kept as pets throughout the Americas, alongside raccoons, crab-eating raccoons, kinkajous, ringtails and cacomistles. White-nosed and South American coatis are well represented in captivity, whereas mountain coatis are far less common. Their intelligence, strong digging ability and complex social behaviour require substantial care and suitable environments when kept under human management.