Editing Coati

{{Short description|Variety of mammal}}
{{Redirect|Coatimundi|the musician|Coati Mundi (musician)|the North American species|White-nosed coati|other uses|Coati Mundi (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2020}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = WNCoati Alajuela CR.png
| image_caption = White-nosed coati (''Nasua narica'')
| display_parents = 2
| taxon = Nasuina
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = *''[[Nasua]]''
*''[[Nasuella]]''
| range_map = Leefgebied neusbeer.JPG
| range_map_caption = Range map
}}

'''Coatis''' (from [[Tupí language|Tupí]]),<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Simpson |first1=George Gaylord |title=Vernacular Names of South American Mammals |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |date=February 1941 |volume=22 |issue=1 |page=12 |doi=10.2307/1374677|jstor=1374677 }}</ref> also known as '''coatimundis''' ({{IPAc-en|k|oʊ|ˌ|ɑː|t|ᵻ|ˈ|m|ʌ|n|d|i}}),<ref name=IUCN/><ref>Braddy, Sarah. [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Nasua_nasua/ ''Nasua nasua'' South American coati]. Animal Diversity Web at [[University of Michigan]]. "Coatis are also referred to in some texts as coatimundis. The name coati or coatimundi is Tupian Indian in origin."</ref> are members of the family [[Procyonidae]] in the genera ''[[Nasua]]'' and ''[[Nasuella]]'' (comprising the subtribe '''Nasuina'''). They are [[Diurnality|diurnal]] [[mammal]]s native to [[South America]], [[Central America]], Mexico, and the [[Southwestern United States]]. The name "coatimundi" comes from the [[Tupian languages]] of [[Brazil]], where it means "lone coati".<ref name=MerriamWebster>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coatimundi |access-date=Nov 6, 2021 | title=Coatimundi | publisher=Merriam-Webster|quote= History and Etymology for coatimundi Portuguese quatimundé, from Tupi kwatimúnde, older male coati not with a band, from kwáti coati + múnde snare, trap}}</ref><ref name=SanDiegoZoo>{{cite web | url=https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/coati | publisher=San Diego Zoo | title = Coati | access-date=Nov 6, 2021}}</ref> Locally in [[Belize]], the coati is known as "quash".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coatimundi - The Belize Zoo |url=http://www.belizezoo.org/mammals/coatimundi.html |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=www.belizezoo.org}}</ref>

==Physical characteristics==
Adult coatis measure {{convert|33|to|69|cm|in|abbr=on}} from head to the base of the tail, which can be as long as their bodies. Coatis are about {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder and weigh between {{convert|2|and|8|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, about the size of a large [[cat|house cat]]. Males can become almost twice as large as females and have large, sharp [[Canine tooth|canine teeth]]. The measurements above relate to the white-nosed and South America coatis. The two species of mountain coati are smaller.<ref name="split">{{cite journal|last=Helgen|first=K. M.|author2=Kays, R.|author3=Helgen, L. E.|author4=Tsuchiya-Jerep, M. T. N.|author5=Pinto, C. M.|author6=Koepfli, K. P.|author7=Eizirik, E.|author8=Maldonado, J. E.|date=August 2009|title=Taxonomic boundaries and geographic distributions revealed by an integrative systematic overview of the mountain coatis, ''Nasuella'' (Carnivora: Procyonidae)|url=http://nebula.wsimg.com/39df4ab63ff1d71fab2908b5de9df233?AccessKeyId=35E369A09ED705622D78&disposition=0&alloworigin=1|journal=Small Carnivore Conservation|volume=41|pages=65–74|access-date=2018-10-26}}</ref>

All coatis share a slender head with an elongated, flexible, slightly upturned nose, small ears, dark feet, and a long non-[[prehensile tail]] used for balance and signaling.

Ring-tailed coatis have either a light brown or black coat, with a lighter underpart and a white-ringed tail in most cases. Coatis have a long brown tail with rings on it which are anywhere from starkly defined like a [[Procyon (genus)|raccoon]]'s to very faint. As in raccoons but not [[ring-tailed cat]]s and [[cacomistle]]s, the rings go completely around the tail. Coatis often hold the tail erect; it is used as such to keep troops of coatis together in tall vegetation. The tip of the tail can be moved slightly on its own, as is the case with cats, but it is not prehensile as is that of the [[kinkajou]], another procyonid.

Coatis have [[bear]]- and raccoon-like paws and walk [[plantigrade]] like raccoons and bears (on the soles of the feet, as do humans). Coatis have nonretractable claws. Coatis also are able to rotate their ankles beyond 180°, in common with raccoons and other procyonids (and others in the order Carnivora and rare cases among other mammals); they are therefore able to descend trees head first. (Other animals living in forests have acquired some or all of these properties through [[convergent evolution]], including members of the [[mongoose]], [[Viverridae|civet]], [[Mustelidae|weasel]], [[Felidae|cat]], and [[Ursidae|bear]] families.)

The coati snout is long and somewhat [[Suidae|pig]]-like—part of the reason for its nickname, the "hog-nosed raccoon". It is also extremely flexible and can rotate up to 60° in any direction. They use their noses to push objects and rub parts of their body. The facial markings include white markings around the eyes and on the ears and snout.

Coatis have strong limbs to climb and dig and have a reputation for [[Animal cognition|intelligence]], like their fellow [[Procyonidae|procyonid]], the raccoon. Unlike the nocturnal raccoons, however, most coatis are [[Diurnality|diurnal]], although some may exhibit [[Cathemerality|cathemeral]] behavior.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dutra|first1=J.|last2=Pereira|first2=Ramos|last3=M.J.|display-authors=etal|last4=Horn|first4=P.|date=2023|title=Sympatric procyonids in the Atlantic Forest: revealing differences in detection, occupancy, and activity of the coati and the crab-eating raccoon in a gradient of anthropogenic alteration|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42991-023-00349-4|journal=Mammalian Biology|volume=103|issue=3 |pages=289–301|doi=10.1007/s42991-023-00349-4}}</ref> They prefer to sleep or rest in elevated places and niches, like the [[rainforest]] [[canopy (biology)|canopy]], in crudely built sleeping nests.

==Habitat and range==
Overall, coatis are widespread, occupying habitats ranging from hot and [[arid]] areas to [[humid]] [[Amazon rainforest|Amazonian rainforests]] or even cold [[Andes|Andean]] [[mountain]] slopes, including [[grassland]]s and bushy areas. Their geographical range extends from the [[Southwestern United States|southwestern U.S.]] (southern [[Arizona]], [[New Mexico]], and [[Texas]]) through northern [[Uruguay]].<ref name="Beisiegel2001">{{cite journal|last1=Beisiegel|first1=B. M.|title=Notes on the coati, Nasua nasua (Carnivora: Procyonidae) in an Atlantic Forest area|journal=Brazilian Journal of Biology|volume=61|issue=4|year=2001|pages=689–692|issn=1519-6984|doi=10.1590/S1519-69842001000400020|pmid=12071327|doi-access=free}}</ref> Around 10 coatis are thought to have formed a breeding population in [[Cumbria]], UK.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humberside/10365422.stm | work=BBC News | title=Exotic animals 'found wild in UK' | date=2010-06-21}}</ref>

==Taxonomy==
{{cladogram|clades={{Clade|style=width:35em;
|label1=Coatis
|1={{Clade
 |1={{Clade
  |1={{Clade
   |1=''[[Nasua narica]]''
   }}
  |2={{Clade
   |1=''[[Nasuella meridensis]]''
   |2=''[[Nasuella olivacea]]''
   }}
  }}
 |2=''[[Nasua nasua]]''
}}}}}}

The following species are recognised:<ref name=split/><ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 |id=14001624|pages=625–626|heading = Genus ''Nasua''}}</ref><ref name=MSW3b>{{MSW3 |id= 14001644|page=626 |heading = Genus ''Nasuella''}}</ref>
* '''Genus ''[[Nasua]]'''''
** ''[[White-nosed coati|Nasua narica]]'' <small>([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766)</small> – white-nosed coati ([[Southwestern United States]], [[Mexico]], [[Central America]], and [[Colombia]])
** ''[[South American coati|Nasua nasua]]'' <small>(Linnaeus, 1766)</small> – South American coati ([[South America]])
* '''Genus ''[[Nasuella]]'''''
** ''[[Nasuella meridensis]]'' <small>([[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]], 1901)</small> – eastern mountain coati ([[Venezuela]])
** ''[[Nasuella olivacea]]'' <small>([[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1865)</small> – western mountain coati ([[Colombia]] and [[Ecuador]])

The [[Cozumel Island coati]] was formerly recognised as a species, but the vast majority of recent authorities treat it as a subspecies, ''N. narica nelsoni'', of the white-nosed coati.<ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=Cuarón, A.D. |author2=Helgen, K. |author3=Reid, F. |author4=Pino, J. |author5=González-Maya, J.F. |date=2016 |title=''Nasua narica'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T41683A45216060 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41683A45216060.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=MSW3/><ref name=HMW>Kays, R. (2009). White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica), pp. 527–528 in: Wilson, D. E., and R. A. Mittermeier, eds. (2009). ''[[Handbook of the Mammals of the World]].'' Vol. 1, Carnivores. {{ISBN|978-84-96553-49-1}}</ref><ref name=Decker>{{cite journal |author=Decker, D. M. |year=1991 |url=http://biostor.org/cache/pdf/f8/c6/d7/f8c6d73ff3bab3dea9652afe0bb9b25f.pdf |title=Systematics of the Coatis, Genus Nasua (Mammalia, Procyonidae) |journal=Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington |volume=104 |pages=370–386 |access-date=2012-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006160755/http://biostor.org/cache/pdf/f8/c6/d7/f8c6d73ff3bab3dea9652afe0bb9b25f.pdf |archive-date=2014-10-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Reid, F. A. (1997). ''Mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico.'' pp. 259–260. {{ISBN|0195064011}}</ref>

[[Genetics|Genetic]] evidence ([[cytochrome b]] sequences) has suggested that the genus ''Nasuella'' should be merged into ''[[Nasua]]'', as the latter is otherwise [[paraphyletic]].<ref name=split/> Other genetic studies have shown that the closest relatives of the coatis are the [[olingo]]s (genus ''Bassaricyon'');<ref name="Koepfli2007">{{cite journal| title=Phylogeny of the Procyonidae (Mammalia: Carvnivora): Molecules, morphology and the Great American Interchange|author1=K.-P. Koepfli |author2=M. E. Gompper |author3=E. Eizirik |author4=C.-C. Ho |author5=L. Linden |author6=J. E. Maldonado |author7=R. K. Wayne | journal= Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | volume=43 | issue=3 | pages=1076–1095| year=2007 |doi= 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.003| pmid=17174109|bibcode=2007MolPE..43.1076K |url=http://si-pddr.si.edu/dspace/bitstream/10088/6026/1/Koepfli_2007phylogeny_of_the_procy.pdf|citeseerx=10.1.1.495.2618 }}</ref><ref name="EizirikMurphy2010">{{cite journal|last1=Eizirik|first1=E.|last2=Murphy|first2=W. J.|last3=Koepfli|first3=K.-P.|last4=Johnson|first4=W. E.|last5=Dragoo|first5=J. W.|last6=Wayne|first6=R. K.|last7=O'Brien|first7=S. J.|title=Pattern and timing of diversification of the mammalian order Carnivora inferred from multiple nuclear gene sequences|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume= 56|issue=1|date= 2010-02-04|pages= 49–63|doi= 10.1016/j.ympev.2010.01.033|pmid=20138220|pmc=7034395|bibcode=2010MolPE..56...49E }}</ref><ref name=ZooKeys>{{cite journal |title=Taxonomic revision of the olingos (''Bassaricyon''), with description of a new species, the Olinguito |last1=Helgen |first1=K. M. |last2=Pinto |first2=M. |last3=Kays |first3=R. |last4=Helgen |first4=L. |last5=Tsuchiya |first5=M. |last6=Quinn |first6=A. |last7=Wilson |first7=D. |last8=Maldonado |first8=J.|journal= ZooKeys|issue= 324|date= 2013-08-15|pages= 1–83|doi= 10.3897/zookeys.324.5827 |pmid=24003317 |pmc=3760134|doi-access=free |bibcode=2013ZooK..324....1H }}</ref> the two lineages are thought to have diverged about 10.2&nbsp;million years ago.<ref name=ZooKeys/>

==Lifespan==
Coatis can live up to seven years in the wild. In captivity, their average lifespan is about 14 years, and some coatis can live into their late teens.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-06-06|title=White-nosed coati|url=https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/white-nosed-coati|access-date=2022-01-02|website=Smithsonian's National Zoo|language=en}}</ref>

==Feeding habits==
Coatis are [[omnivore]]s; their diet consists mainly of [[Plant litter|ground litter]], [[invertebrate]]s, such as [[tarantula]], and [[fruit]] (Alves-Costa et al., 2004, 2007; Hirsch 2007). They also eat small [[vertebrate]] prey, such as [[lizard]]s, [[rodent]]s, small [[bird]]s, birds' [[Egg (biology)|eggs]], and [[crocodile]] eggs. The snout, with an acute [[sense of smell]], assists the paws in a hog-like manner to unearth invertebrates.

==Behaviour==
[[Image:Coati in "la venta" México.JPG|thumbnail|Coati showing its canines]]
Little is known about the behaviour of the mountain coatis,<ref name=split/> and the following is almost entirely about the coatis of the genus ''Nasua''. Unlike most members of the raccoon family ([[Procyonidae]]), coatis are primarily [[diurnality|diurnal]]. [[Nasua]] coati females and young males up to two years of age are gregarious and travel through their territories in noisy, loosely organised bands made up of four to 25 individuals, foraging with their offspring on the ground or in the forest canopy. Males over two years become solitary due to behavioural disposition and collective aggression from the females and will join the female groups only during the [[breeding season]].

When provoked, or for defence, coatis can be fierce fighters; their strong jaws, sharp [[Canine tooth|canine teeth]], and fast scratching paws, along with a tough hide sturdily attached to the underlying muscles, make it very difficult for potential predators (e.g., dogs or [[jaguar]]s) to seize the smaller mammal.

Coatis communicate their intentions or moods with chirping, snorting, or grunting sounds. Different chirping sounds are used to express joy during [[social grooming]], appeasement after fights, or to convey irritation or anger. Snorting while digging, along with an erect tail, states territorial or food claims during foraging. Coatis additionally use special postures or moves to convey simple messages; for example, hiding the nose between the front paws as a sign for submission; lowering the head, baring teeth, and jumping at an enemy signal an aggressive disposition. Individuals recognise other coatis by their looks, voices, and smells, the individual smell is intensified by special [[musk]]-glands on their necks and bellies.

Coatis from [[Panama]] are known to rub their own fur and that of other troop members with [[resin]] from ''[[Trattinnickia aspera]]'' ([[Burseraceae]]) trees, but its purpose is unclear. Some proposed possibilities are it serves as an [[insect repellent]], a [[fungicide]], or as a form of [[Scent marking|scent-marking]].<ref name=costa>{{cite book|title=The Natural History of Costa Rican Mammals|author=Wainwright, M.|year=2002|page=226|isbn=978-0-9705678-1-9|publisher=Zona Tropical|location=Miami, FL}}</ref> Coatis rub [[preputial gland]] secretions on objects in their [[home range]]s, but do not have [[Anal gland|anal glands]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shannon |first=D. |last2=Kitchener |first2=A. C. |last3=Macdonald |first3=A. |date=June 1995 |title=The preputial glands of the coati, Nasua nasua |url=https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1995.tb04495.x |journal=Journal of Zoology |language=en |volume=236 |issue=2 |pages=319–322 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1995.tb04495.x |issn=0952-8369}}</ref>

==Reproduction==
[[Image:Young Coati.png|thumb|right|A young Coati in Tulum, MX, approximately 6 weeks old.]] Coati breeding season mainly corresponds with the start of the rainy season to coincide with maximum availability of food, especially fruits: between January and March in some areas, and between October and February in others. Female and young coatis commonly live in bands of 5 to 40 and travel together. The males are solitary and join the bands only during the short mating season.
For this period, an adult male is accepted into the band of females and juveniles near the beginning of the breeding season, leading to a [[Polygyny in animals|polygynous]] mating system.

The pregnant females separate from the group, build a nest on a tree or in a rocky niche and, after a gestation period of about 11 weeks, give birth to [[litter (animal)|litters]] of three to seven kits. About six weeks after birth, the females and their young will rejoin the band. Females become sexually mature at two years of age, while males will acquire [[sexual maturity]] at three years of age.

==Natural predators==
Coati predators include [[jaguarundi]]s, [[anacondas]], [[Cougar|puma]]s,<ref>{{cite web |title=White Nose Coati |url=https://education.turpentinecreek.org/species-information/white-nose-coati/ |website=Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge |access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref> [[maned wolves]], [[boa constrictor]]s, [[fox]]es, [[dog]]s, [[tayra]]s, [[ocelot]]s, and [[jaguar]]s. Large raptors, such as [[ornate hawk-eagle]]s, [[black-and-chestnut eagle]]s, and [[harpy eagle]]s, also are known to hunt them.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060516160718/http://itech.pjc.edu/sctag/coati/Southern%20Coati.htm Southern Coatimundi]. itech.pjc.edu</ref> [[White-headed capuchin]] monkeys hunt their pups.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Perry S. |author2=Rose L. |year=1994|url=http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41610/1/10329_2006_Article_BF02381950.pdf |title=Begging and transfer of coati meat by white-faced capuchin monkeys, ''Cebus capucinus''|journal=Primates|volume=35|issue=4|pages=409–415|doi=10.1007/bf02381950|hdl=2027.42/41610 |s2cid=146496 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>

==Status==
In Central and South America, coatis are threatened by environmental destruction and unregulated hunting. A lack of scientifically sound [[Population study|population studies]] could be leading to an underestimation of the coati population and other ecological problems affecting the species.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==In captivity==
Coatis are one of five groups of [[Procyonidae|procyonids]] commonly kept as pets in various parts of North, Central and South America, the others being the [[Procyon (genus)|raccoons]] ([[Raccoon|common]] and [[Crab-eating raccoon|crab-eating]]), the [[kinkajou]], [[Ringtail|the ring-tailed cat]] and [[cacomistle]]. However, while both the white-nosed and South America coatis are common in captivity, mountain coatis are extremely rare in captivity.<ref>[[International Species Information System|ISIS]] (2011). ''[https://app.isis.org/abstracts/Abs75038.asp#1.0 Nasua.]'' Version 12 January 2011.</ref><ref>WildlifeExtra (August, 2010). ''[http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/mountain-coati.html First ever Mountain coati in captivity in Colombia.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402132408/http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/mountain-coati.html |date=2016-04-02 }}''</ref>

Coatis are small creatures that can be wild, somewhat difficult to control or train in some cases, and generally behave in a manner radically different from that of a pet dog.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101006202849/http://blackpineanimalpark.com/Animals/coati_mundi.htm Coat Mundi (kow'aatee'múndee)]. However if they are trained properly, they could be really docile. blackpineanimalpark.com</ref> Optimally, they should have a spacious outdoor enclosure and a coati-proofed room in the house and/or other climate-controlled place, as well. They can be given the run of the house but need careful watching, more careful in some cases than others.

It is possible to litter or toilet train coatis;<ref name="ivis.org">[http://www.ivis.org/journals/exoticdvm/8-6/Coatimundi.pdf Quick Reference Guide to 21 Exotic Species]. ''Exotic DVM'', Vol. 8 #6 2006</ref> if one cannot be trained as such, it is still possible to lessen problems in that they tend to designate a [[Animal latrine|latrine area]], which can have a litter pan placed in it as is done with many [[ferret]]s, [[Skunks as pets|pet skunk]]s, [[rabbit]]s, and [[Rodent|rodents]].<ref name="ivis.org"/> Coatis generally need both dog and cat vaccines for distemper and many other diseases and an [[Inactivated vaccine|inactivated]] [[rabies vaccine]]. They can be spayed or neutered for the same reason as cats and dogs and other pets.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="190" heights="180" mode="packed">
File:5287 aquaimages.jpg|White-nosed coati at [[Tikal]], Guatemala
File:Coati.arp.jpg|South American coati, ''Nasua nasua'', in an English zoo
File:Nasuanarica1.jpg|White-nosed coati in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica
File:Coati-iguazu.jpg|South American coati near Iguaçu Falls, Brazil
File:Hike09.jpg|White-nosed coati on Mt. Hopkins near [[Madera Canyon (Arizona)]]
File:Coati2008.JPG|alt=Photo of a coati on a ball|Coati at a zoo in the Czech Republic
File:MexicanCoati.jpg|Coati foraging in [[Playa del Carmen]], [[Mexico]]
File:CoatiScavengingIguazú.jpg|South American coati seeking discarded food in the [[Iguazú National Park|Iguazú [Falls] National Park]] of Argentina
File:Pair of South American coatis.JPG|Pair of South American coatis at [[Xel-ha]] aquatic theme park in [[Quintana Roo]], [[Mexico]]
File:Coati Feeding in Ecuador.jpg|A coati feeding on fruit at a monkey sanctuary (Paseo de los Monos) in the Amazon of [[Puyo, Pastaza|Puyo, Ecuador]].
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Wiktionary-inline|coati}}

{{Carnivora|C.}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Coatis| ]]
[[Category:Procyonidae]]
[[Category:Carnivorans of Central America]]
[[Category:Carnivorans of North America]]
[[Category:Carnivorans of South America]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Southwestern United States]]
[[Category:Mammals of Mexico]]
[[Category:Mammals of the United States]]