Ring-tailed Coati

Latin name Nasua nasua
Class Mammals
Order Carnivora
Family Procyonidae
IUCN Status Least Concern
Habitat Tropical and subtropical forest
Distribution South America

General Information

Ring-tailed coatis are a member of the racoon family. They have a long stripy tail, an elongated flexible nose and sharp claws which they use to forage for food on the ground. Their diet consists mainly of fruit and invertebrates but as omnivores they will also eat small mammals, birds and bird’s eggs. In the wild the males are solitary while the females live in large groups called bands.

Lifespan: up to 15 years in captivity.

Fun Fact

Coatis are excellent tree climbers and are able to turn their ankles by 180° to be able to go down trees head first.

Animal Biography

Our 3 female coati’s are Honey and Peanut and Treacle. In the summer months they nest up high up in the tree but in winter you will see them snuggled up under their heat lamp. Their favourite foods are insects and ripe fruit such as mango.