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Coatimundi (Coati)

The Coati (pronounced coh-AH-tee) is a strange looking animal that bears some resemblance to a raccoon. In fact the animals, along with ringtails, are part of the same family, called Procyonidae. Coatis are longer, taller and thinner than a raccoon, with a pointy nose and a two foot long tail which they hold vertically.
 

Natural History

Coatis live in higher altitude mountains and canyons during the summer, occasionally moving to lower elevations during the winter months. They are omnivorous and will eat anything from grubs, beetles and other insects, to fruits, nuts, rodents, eggs, and reptiles.
 

These Coati photos were taken at the Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum. I have also seen groups of Coati in the wild in Aravaipa Canyon.

They find their food by using their long claws to dig through dirt and leaves and will also turn over large rocks or branches to search for insects or lizards. They are most active during the morning and afternoon hours, and usually take refuge at night in a tree or cave. Coatis are very social animals and usually live in large groups of 20 or more individuals. The groups consist solely of females and their young. Males usually travel alone except during breeding season. Pregnant females will leave the group to give birth and usually have 4-6 offspring. After a few weeks, when the babies are big enough to follow, the female will re-join the group.

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