Coati

Coati

Nasua narica

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Biography

Another raccoon relative, coatis are not truly adapted to desert life. Coatis can survive only by staying close to a water hole. Like raccoons, they are omnivorous. Their long snout, and accompanying excellent sense of smell, help them to root for food such as eggs, grubs, small reptiles, fruits, nuts, and a wide variety of invertebrates. As coatis forage along the ground, they travel with their two-foot long tails held vertically. Their strong front legs and long claws are useful for foraging and climbing. Able to climb trees easily, their long ringed tails help them to balance, but are not prehensile. Coatis are diurnal, and are most active in the morning and late afternoon. They are social animals and often travel in bands or troops of up to 20 or 30 individuals, consisting of females and their young. Males are usually solitary, except during the breeding season.

Our Animal's Story

Jasper and Cody are male cousins, born in April of 2011. They arrived in June 2012 from a zoo in NY. Originally in the pet trade and therefore declawed, they are still incredibly agile. They are extremely curious of everything-sometimes even visitors.

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