Coatis

The coati, or coatimundi, is a member of the zoological family Procyonidae. This family also includes raccoons, kinkajous, ringtails and a few lesser known species. There are two genus and four species of coati. Nasua nasua is the most common species and the one usually kept as a pet.

Size can vary considerably with coatis, but an average adult is twelve to fourteen inches tall at the shoulders and about the general body size of a rather large house cat. Most males reach 15 to 18 pounds; females are slightly smaller.

Coatis have reddish brown fur, which is lighter on their undersides. Coloring varies quite a bit. Some coatis are nearly "Irish setter" red, some are almost blonde, and others are extremely dark. No matter what color, a coati's tail is always banded.

A coati's muzzle, chin and throat are off-white with distinctive markings around the eyes. Their nose is long and pointed, with an extremely flexible tip. They have strong forelimbs and long claws. Their ankles are double jointed, allowing them to descend trees head first.

As you can tell from this description, the coati is a rather odd looking critter! However, this unusual mix of physical characteristics makes them well-adapted to their natural home. This includes the area from Arizona to Argentina, from marginal deserts to rainforests.

Additional articles of interest can be found under
Diet & Nutrition, Choosing A Pet and Other Topics.
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