{"id":36138,"date":"2023-08-25T13:58:23","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T13:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalcorner.org\/?post_type=animals&p=36138"},"modified":"2023-10-04T04:10:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T04:10:31","slug":"coati","status":"publish","type":"animals","link":"https:\/\/animalcorner.org\/animals\/coati\/","title":{"rendered":"Coati – The Lesser-Known Ring-Tailed Wanderers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Coati, is a fascinating member of the animal kingdom, that often goes unnoticed amidst the vast biodiversity of the Americas. Scientifically classified under the genera Nasua <\/em><\/strong>and Nasuella<\/em><\/strong>, these animals are not just another raccoon<\/a>, even though they share a family – Procyonidae<\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With four distinct species, coatis have carved out their own niche in the ecosystems they inhabit. With populations reaching from the Southwestern United States, down as far as Argentina in South America<\/a>. They are incredible little climbers with some very fascinating features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species in the genus Nasua are well known and documented, but those in the genus Nasuella are considered to be amongst the least studied meat eaters in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Appearance & Characteristics of Coati<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coatis have a distinct charm, curious to observe for any nature lover. With a body structure like a blend between a small dog and a raccoon, their physical features are quite unique. Across the species in the genus Nasua<\/em><\/strong>, they typically weigh between 4.4 to 17.6 pounds (2 – 8kg) and range between 45 – 60 cm (18 to 24 inches) in size. This doesn’t include their long, ringed tail, which can be just as long as their body, and overall size does vary by species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

White-Nosed Coati can reach around 110 cm (43 inches) nose to tail, and the South American Coati will range between 85 \u2013 113 cm (33 \u2013 44 inches) nose to tail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mountain Coati species within the genus Nasuella<\/em><\/strong> are much smaller, generally weighing between 2.2 \u2013 3.3 pounds (1.0 \u2013 1.5kg) with a much smaller head and body length around 36 – 39 cm (14.2 – 15.4 inches). Their tail can be anywhere between half to two thirds of their overall size 20 – 24 cm (7.9 – 9.5 inches). This gives them an overall size between 56 – 63 cm (22.1 – 24.9 inches) just over half that of the larger Nasua <\/em><\/strong>species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their fur colour and markings are different for each species. From a vibrant mix of brown, red, and yellow, to gentler dark or pale shades. Some contrast beautifully with their ringed tails or with the White-nosed, the black mask and white facial markings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their incredibly long tails are non-prehensile, but they are not just for show. They work in tandem with their incredibly manoeuvrable ankles to provide great climbing agility. These play a crucial role in maintaining their balance, and their ability to descend a tree head first very quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across all species, Coati have a distinctly slender head with an elongated and slightly upturned nose, with an almost swine-like snout. They also tend to have dark feet (mountain coati have the darkest) and small ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genus<\/strong><\/td>Species Name<\/strong><\/td>Size<\/strong><\/td>Weight<\/strong><\/td>Location<\/strong><\/td>Appearance<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Nasua<\/td>White-Nosed Coati –
Nasua narica<\/em><\/td>		Around 110 cm (3.6 ft) nose-to-tail<\/td>4\u20136 kg (8.8\u201313.2 lb)<\/td>Southwestern US to Colombia<\/td>Brown with red\/yellow mix, ringed tail and a white nose.<\/td><\/tr>
Nasua<\/td>South American Coati –
Nasua nasua<\/em><\/td>		Between 85\u2013113 cm (33\u201344 in) nose-to-tail<\/td>2\u20137.2 kg (4.4\u201315.9 lb)<\/td>Colombia to Argentina<\/td>Similar to N. narica but with regional variations. No white nose.<\/td><\/tr>
Nasuella<\/td>Eastern Mountain Coati –
Nasuella meridensis<\/em><\/td>		Slightly smaller than the Western Mountain Coati<\/td>Slightly smaller than the Western Mountain Coati. Not well documented.<\/td>Venezuela<\/td>Less vibrant, more earthy tones<\/td><\/tr>
Nasuella<\/td>Western Mountain Coati –
Nasuella olivacea<\/em><\/td>		56 – 63 cm (22.1 – 24.9 inches)<\/td>2.2 \u2013 3.3 pounds (1.0 \u2013 1.5kg)<\/td>Colombia and Ecuador<\/td>Earthy tones with subtle markings<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

White-Nosed Coati (Nasua narica)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Physical Appearance & Attributes: <\/strong>The white-nosed coati is characterized by its brown fur with a mix of red and yellow on top. It has a distinct black mask and white markings around its eyes, nose, and the insides of its ears. Its tail is long, thin, and ringed, which it often holds upright when walking. This species is the most raccoon-like of all the species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distinctive Features:<\/strong> The ‘white-nosed’ descriptor comes from the white markings around its snout. It’s the most commonly known coati species and is often seen in groups or ‘bands’ in Central America, and across the Southern United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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South American Coati (Nasua nasua)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Physical Appearance & Attributes:<\/strong> Very similar in appearance and size to the white-nosed coati, the South American coati has a slightly different coloration, with regional variations in its fur tones. Its tail is also ringed and is used for balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distinctive Features:<\/strong> While physically similar to the white-nosed coati, its habitat and range make it distinct. It’s more commonly found in the rainforests of South America, particularly the lowland forests to the East of the Andes mountain range. They have more noticeable rings in their tail than the White-nosed variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eastern Mountain Coati (Nasuella meridensis)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Physical Appearance & Attributes: <\/strong>Similar in size to the Western Mountain Coati, this species also sports earthy-toned fur with subtle markings. They are usually smaller in frame and weight, and have a smaller tail than the Western Mountain Coati. They also have smaller teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distinctive Features:<\/strong> Like the Western Mountain Coati, its smaller size and high-altitude habitat make it unique. They tend to have lighter coats in paler colours than the Western variety, and usually have a dark mid-dorsal stripe along the back which helps to distinguish the species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Western Mountain Coati (Nasuella olivacea)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Physical Appearance & Attributes:<\/strong> This species is smaller than the members of the Nasua genus. Its range in the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador differentiates it from its eastern counterpart. Its fur has more earthy tones, which might be an adaptation to its mountainous habitat. Their tails have very distinct black or olive brown rings which help to identify the species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distinctive Features: <\/strong>Its smaller size and the mountainous habitat it prefers set it apart from the other coati species. Their coat is usually more distinct, either darker or lighter in variations of black, brown and grey. Unlike the Eastern Mountain Coati, they don’t have a dark mid-dorsal stripe along the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Distribution \u2013 Location and Habitat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The coati’s adaptability is evident in its wide range of habitats. From the scorching heat of arid regions in the northern part of their North American range, to the dense humidity of rainforests in South America. Even in the chilly heights of the Andean mountains, coatis have made themselves at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their geographical distribution is vast, stretching from the New Mexico and Arizona in the USA, all the way to northern Uruguay. The white-nosed coati, for instance, has a particular fondness for mountain forests and woody canyons. The South American Coati is only found in the lowland rainforests in South America, and both the Easter and Western Mountain Coati, have very small, mountainous habitas in different ranges of the Andean range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a little more detail for each species specifically:<\/p>\n\n\n\n