South American Coati

Scientific Name: Nasua nasua

Order: Carnivora (carnivores)

Family: Procyonidae

Conservation Status

About

South American coatis are closely related to raccoons and they share many common characteristics. They both have a distinctive ringed tail, which is used to balance on tree branches. The coati is nicknamed “hog-nosed raccoon” due to its long, pig-like snout. Coatis are arboreal animals, and have the ability to mate and build nests among the trees. The coati’s rotating ankle joints allow it to descend trees headfirst.

Find me at EPZ

Location: This animal is not on exhibit. It is part of our educational collection and may only be seen in programs inside or outside of the zoo.

Arrived at EPZ: Dottie- 7/1/2020

Habitat & Range
South American coatis are widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical South America. Most can be found in the lowlands east of the Andes.
Identification
Also called the ring-tailed coati, the South American coati varies in color between grey, brown, red and blonde. Perhaps their most notable feature is their long, pointed snout. Body length averages 33 to 45 inches, half of which is made up of the tail. The average coati weighs between 4 and 16 pounds.
Diet
The South American coati is omnivorous and primarily feeds on fruit, invertebrates, small animals, and birds' eggs. They search for fruit using their long snout to poke through leaves and crevices and their sharp claws to rip open logs and overturn rocks.
Reproduction & Lifespan
Mating takes place when fruit is in season. Females, who live in groups of 15 to 30 individuals, come into heat simultaneously. One female may mate with several males. After a gestation period of 77 days, females give birth to an average of 2 to 4 young. Females will remain with the group they are born into, however males will leave the group after approximately 3 years. South American coatis live an average of 7 years in the wild and up to 14 years in captivity.
Fantastic Fact
Coatis can use different body motions to convey messages. For example the coati will lower its head, expose its teeth and jump as a way to signal to an enemy to beware. They also make many vocal sounding alarms such as whining and clicks.

South American Coati

Conservation Status

About

Find me at EPZ

Habitat & Range

Identification

Diet

Reproduction & Lifespan

Fantastic Fact