White-Nosed Coatimundi

Nasua narica

  • Classification: Mammal
  • Lifespan in Captivity: 15yrs
  • Lifespan in the Wild: 6-8yrs
  • Length: 3.5-4ft
  • Weight: 5.5-18lbs
  • Range: Central America, Northwestern South America, Southwestern United States
  • Habitat: wooded areas
    • Diet in the Wild: plant matter, small vertebrates, fruit, human garbage, insects, eggs, lizards, rodents, carrion
    • Diet at Wildlife Images: meat, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, kibble

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Coatis are the raccoons of the tropics – very social, smart, adaptable, nimble, and highly omnivorous. Unlike raccoons, however, they are active during the day (the only diurnal member of the procyonid family). Adult females and juveniles live together in large groups, nesting together at night and helping one another care for the offspring. Their long, erect, non-prehensile tails are used for communication and also to keep track of each other in dense jungle bush. The snout, with a formidable sense of smell, assists the skilled paws in a hog- like manner to unearth invertebrates. Adult males are typically solitary, and can be up to twice as large as the females. Other names for the coati include the Brazilian aardvark, tejón, hog-nosed coon, coon cat, gato solo, pizote, crackoon, and snookum bear.

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