The South American coati is a highly social and inquisitive member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae), equally comfortable on the ground and in the trees. Females and young live in boisterous bands of up to 30 individuals, while adult males are largely solitary outside of mating season. Coatis use their long, flexible, mobile snout to probe under bark, into crevices, and into the soil for invertebrates, and their semi-rigid tail is held straight up for balance and as a visual signal within the troop.
About the Coati
Nasua nasua
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💡 Fun Facts
01
A coati's snout can rotate up to 60 degrees in any direction, functioning like a flexible probe to explore every crevice for food.
02
Their ankle joints can rotate 180 degrees, allowing them to descend trees headfirst like a squirrel.
03
Female coatis live in large social bands while males are solitary — leading early naturalists to mistakenly classify them as different species.
04
Coatis can close their nostrils completely when rooting in the soil to prevent inhaling dirt.
05
They rub plant resin from certain trees onto their fur, which is thought to repel insects and parasites.
📍 Where to Find This Animal
Habitat Types:
Tropical & Subtropical Forest
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