Home > Facts > Animal Facts > Coati Facts

Coati Facts

Coati Facts
Coati is medium-sized mammal that belongs to the raccoon family. There are 4 species of coati that are native to North, Central and South America. Depending on the species, coati can be found in the tropical rainforests, dense forests, mountains, grasslands or deserts. Coatis are faced with accelerated habitat loss (as a result of deforestation) and they are often a target of hunters. Despite these factors, global population of coati is still large and these animals are not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Coati Facts:
Coati can reach 13 to 27 inches in length and 6 to 18 pounds of weight. Males are much larger than females.
Coati has thick fur that is light brown or black-colored on the back and lighter in color on the bottom side of the body. Face and ears are covered with white markings. Light and dark rings can be seen on the tail of most species.
Coati has elongated snout, strong jaws, small ears, slender body, bear-like paws with non-retractable claws and long, bushy tail which provides balance in the trees.
Coati spends part of its life on the solid ground (where it searches food) and other part on the trees (where it sleeps, mates and gives birth). Thanks to the flexible ankles, that can be rotated for 180 degrees, coati can descend from the tree head first.
Coati is active during the day (diurnal animal).
Coati is an omnivore. Its diet is based on seed, fruit, nuts, insects, birds, eggs and small reptiles.
Coati has sensitive, pig-like snout that can be rotated for 60 degrees in all directions. It is used for pushing of objects on the ground and for detection of food.
Males are solitary, while females and their offspring live in the groups (called bands) of 10 to 30 animals.
Coati produces chirping, snorting and grunting noise to express its mood and to alert other members of the group about potential danger.
Coati becomes very aggressive when it is threatened. It does not hesitate to use its sharp canine teeth and long claws to protect itself from a predator.
Natural enemies of coati are jaguars, pumas, birds of prey, snakes and crocodiles.
Mating season of coati takes place at the beginning of the rainy season, when food is plentiful.
Pregnancy lasts 11 weeks and ends with 2 to 7 babies. Female leaves the group to give birth in the nest in the tree or on a rocky lodge.
At the age of 6 weeks, baby coati rejoins the group with its mother. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 years, males one year later.
Coati can survive 7 to 8 years in the wild, and up to 15 years in the captivity.


Related Links:
Facts
Animal Facts
Animals Facts
Ring-tailed coati Facts
Olingo Facts
Animal Facts for Kids
Agouti Facts