Description
The southern
coatimundi is usually tawny red
but can be gray or brown. They have white spots above and below the eyes, on the
cheeks, and under the chin. It has a long bushy tail with black or brown
rings. They have a very long snout with a movable nose. Coatis have an elongated
body with short powerful legs that are equipped with very sharp claws.
Coatimundi are known just as coati or called ringtails. They are very closely related to the North American raccoon.
Geographic Range
Coatimundi
are found in the forests of South America: East of the
Andes, North to South Argentina and Uruguay. Since the 1900s, they have been seen as far
east as Texas and as far west as southern California.
Lifestyle
Coati can live in various habitats such as deserts, rain forest, grasslands, scrub forest, and tropical deciduous forests. Coatis can reverse their ankle joints and descend trees headfirst. Their long tail can also be used as a balancing rod while climbing. They are excellent climbers and very active during the day and night. They mostly stay in the trees but will come down to the ground occasionally to eat. Females live in groups of 4 - 30 called bands and males live alone except in breeding season. They can be very aggressive and fight with other males. Predators include fox, jaguar, jaguarondi, domestic dog, and people. Coatimundi live about seven years in wild but have know to reach 15 in captivity.
Diet
Coatimundi are
omnivorous. They eat mostly insects and they love fruit. They have very sensitive noses to find
bugs in leaf litter and in rotting logs. Coatis sometimes also catch frogs, lizards or
mice, and will also unearth and eat turtle or lizard eggs. In captivity coatis
are fed fruit, dog food, and monkey diet. Some of their favorites treats are
peanut butter and marshmallows.
Reproduction
All mating occurs in trees. The
female will make a little nest in a hollowed out tree to keep the young and
guard them ferociously. The Coatis'
gestation period is about 77 days and usually 3 to 5 young are born, each
weighing around 100g. The males are sexually mature by their third year,
whereas the females reach their maturity in their second year.
Status
Coatimundi are not in severe danger in the wild, however populations have been
on a slight decline due to development of habitat and the capture of wild
animals for the pet trade. However cute the coati is, they do not make good
pets: they are wild animals and should be treated like one.
Coatimundi
Links
For more information email Small
Carnivore Education Liaison
Page created by Nicole McLuen and Pamela Perry, Pensacola Junior College ZooTech
Students,
Fall 2000/2001
