South American Coati

Nasua nasua

The South American coati (Nasua nasua), often called the ring-tailed coati or coatimundi, is a diurnal member of the raccoon family found through much of tropical and subtropical South America. Its long mobile snout, ringed tail carried upright, and strong curved claws make it easy to recognize. Coatis travel through forest, savanna woodland, and edge habitats searching for fruit, insects, eggs, small vertebrates, and human food when it is available. Females and young usually move in noisy bands, while mature males spend much of the year alone.

In captivity, coatis are managed more like intelligent small carnivores than like ordinary pets. They need large escape-resistant enclosures with climbing routes, dig-proof edges, nesting boxes, and daily foraging work that lets them use their nose and paws. Diets must balance fruit with animal protein to avoid obesity and dental trouble. Hand-reared coatis can still bite, scent-mark, raid cupboards, and become difficult at maturity, so ownership may be restricted and is best considered only by experienced exotic-mammal keepers. Zoos often use coatis in mixed tropical exhibits, but group composition and breeding require planning because adult males can injure younger animals.