Mammal · GBIF taxon 2433536
Nasua nasua
Nasua nasuaAlso known as Ring-tailed Coati, Brown-nosed Coati, Coatimundi
South American coatis are highly social and adaptable members of the raccoon family that spend their days foraging on the forest floor and in canopy layers. Females and juveniles live in noisy, energetic bands of up to thirty individuals, using their flexible, elongated snouts to root through leaf litter for insects and fallen fruit. Adult males lead solitary lives except during the breeding season, holding distinct home ranges that overlap with several female bands.
SocialDiurnalOmnivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Insects
- Fallen fruit
- Small rodents
Predators
- Jaguars
- Pumas
- Harpy eagles
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting, and domestic dog attacks
HabitatsRainforests, cloud forests, dry forests, and gallery woodlands
Life span7–15 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCarnivora
- FamilyProcyonidae
- GenusNasua
- SpeciesNasua nasua
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Can bite or scratch with sharp claws if cornered or habituated to human food.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with strong jaws and long, sharp claws designed for digging and climbing that can cause deep puncture wounds.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by a long, flexible dark snout, erect ringed tail, and reddish-brown to greyish fur.
- What to do
- Keep a distance of several meters and never attempt to offer food or touch wild coatis.
Responsible observation
- Watch from a distance: Observe female bands as they forage through the forest floor and lower canopy.
- Do not feed: Coatis quickly become habituated and aggressive when conditioned to human food.
- Secure food: Store food and trash in sealed containers when camping or visiting coati habitat.
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Dario Taraborelli · cc0
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Family Member Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Family Member Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
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