COATI

Scientific name: Nasua narica

Common name: coati, coatimundi, quatasin

Characteristics: Body length is 40 - 70 cm, tail 32 - 70 cm, with an approximate weight of 12 kg. Their pelage is short and soft, reddish brown to reddish gray on the top and yellowish to dark brown on the underside. Face and neck are white; long and pointed muzzle; front legs are short compared to hind quarters, all of them black; the tail is striped and longer than the body. Females and their young are sociable and can be seen in groups of 5 - 40 individuals; the gestation period is 11 weeks and they give birth to an average of 4 - 5 young.

Habitat: Southern United States to southern South America

Food: They are omnivorous and not very demanding in their diet.

Status: Red List.

Threats: Loss of habitat, hunting, pet trade at the local level (Reid, F.)