South American Coati

By Marla Lise

Scientific Name: Nasua nasua

Coatis are found in most parts of Latin America. They can be found in a wide range of forest habitats, even in high altitudes of up to 2500m above sea level.

Coatis are as big as a large house cat, growing up to 70cm from their head to the tip of their tails. They are related to raccoons.

Although coatis have long tails, they can’t use them like monkeys do – hanging from trees and holding objects. Coatis use their tails for balance and to communicate with each other. They are also able to walk straight down trees – head first – because their ankles can turn 180 degrees.

South American Coati. Photo by Rhett A. Butler

The coati’s snout can rotate up to 60 in any direction and is used to rub their body or move objects around.

Coatis are omnivorous animals, eating both plant and animal matter and are usually active during the day, however can be found roaming around the forest in the day and in the night. They sleep in nests that they make up in the tree canopy.

Coatis are not listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List so they are safe for now, but in some places, where their forest homes are being destroyed, they may be at risk.

Scientific Name:Coatis are found in most parts of Latin America. They can be found in a wide range of forest habitats, even in high altitudes of up to 2500m above sea level.Coatis are as big as a large house cat, growing up to 70cm from their head to the tip of their tails. They are related to raccoons.Although coatis have long tails, they can’t use them like monkeys do – hanging from trees and holding objects. Coatis use their tails for balance and to communicate with each other. They are also able to walk straight down trees – head first – because their ankles can turn 180 degrees.The coati’s snout can rotate up to 60 in any direction and is used to rub their body or move objects around.Coatis are omnivorous animals, eating both plant and animal matter and are usually active during the day, however can be found roaming around the forest in the day and in the night. They sleep in nests that they make up in the tree canopy.Coatis are not listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List so they are safe for now, but in some places, where their forest homes are being destroyed, they may be at risk.

FAQs

• May I use graphics from mongabay.com for my projects? Yes, you may provided that you don’t remove the mongabay label from the images. You may use information from the site for class projects and can cite mongabay as the source.
• Is this web site credible? Mongabay is the world’s most popular source for information on tropical forests. The site is highly acclaimed by a number of the world’s leading tropical scientists. Mongabay Founder Rhett Butler has published several scientific papers.
• Can I interview the founder of mongabay for my school project? Unfortunately Rhett is not available for interviews. However he has answered some common questions on the Rainforest Interview page.
• Do you have any games or activities? Currently there are a few on the resources page.
• How can I help save rainforests? Some ideas are listed at Rainforest Solutions.
• Where can I learn more about rainforests? Check the main rainforest site.