The Coati 

What are different types of coati ?

Did you know that a coati or coatimundi is related to the raccoon? I didn't until I started researching my animal. Their paws are a mixture of bears and raccoons. There are 3 different types of coatis. They are the reddish brown color which lives in south America, chocolate brown which live in the forests of Panama, and sandy brown which live in the dry hills of Arizona. You could easily mistake a coati for a raccoon at a distance.[:

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/coati-plays-with-himself/064CBAB5A9DEEFADBDCE064CBAB5A9DEEFADBDCE 

Are coatis endangered ?

Like all animals coatis have predictors too. Coatis are don't adapted to human life very well and its hard for them because we keep taking there homes away from them. Coatis are fierce animals they are know to actually kill dogs if treed by a dog. Coatis are on the constant look out for their predictors like Hawks, eagles, jaguars, dogs, foxes, ocelots( ocelots are types of big cats), and the biggest predator of them all is humans! Baby coatis are very vulnerable like all babies are. The white faced capunchin monkeys  are a big predators to coatis pups. As we all know raccoons have adapted very well but their close cousins are having a hard time. [: http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/coati-on-the-hanging-bridge/FEEF3956CA7093ECB430FEEF3956CA7093ECB430

What do coatis eat?

They coati is just like its cousin when it comes to food it will eat almost anything it can get easily. They will eat fruits, lizards, insects, mice, ice cream, land credos, nachos, and spiders. The coati is an omnivore: they will eat almost everything. [:

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/coati-on-the-hanging-bridge/FEEF3956CA7093ECB430FEEF3956CA7093ECB430 

How big do coatis get?

The males are much bigger than the females. The average length of a coati is 16 - 26 inches (41 - 66 centimeters long). They weigh up to 10 - 15 pounds (4.5 - 6.8 kilo.). They coatis are a little bit bigger than their cousins. Coatis are unique because they have a slender, long; mouth and a tail that always sticks straight up the tails have rings on them. [:

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/6518759/16918923

Where do coatis live?

They live in the tops of trees, on the ground, in dry hills, mountain forests, and wooded canyons. They have a wide range from Arizona south to Argentina. If you go to Arizona you will see coatis but you will see them with sandy brown fur, and if you go to the forests in Panama you will see them chocolate fur, and if you go to any southern U.S.A. state near Mexico there fur will be reddish brown. Coatis do not like cold places that's why you never see them around here because they like the hot and arid places better. [:

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/coati-vs-can/290FADF36DFE05F76ED0290FADF36DFE05F76ED0 

Unique facts about coatis 

Coatis are curious and intelligent creatures. Did you know that the word coatimundi means "lone coati". The natives came up with the name because the males travel alone and the females and pups so they call the females and pups coatis and the male's coatimundis. The female and pups travel in a band of 6 - 20. During mating season which is January - March one male joins each band. Once pregnant the female leaves the band for 6 weeks then returns with her new pups  which she can have 3 - 6 pups in one liter. The female coatis build their nests in trees of sticks and leaves. Coatis use there tails for balance when climbing. Coatis DO NOT HIBERNATE because they live in warm climates and don't need to. Coatis are active by day and very friendly if you give them food but beware once you give one food the whole group comes and I know this from personal experience but once you give them food they are so caught up in it that you can actually pet them (do not even think about doing this with a wild coati they will defend themselves). In the wild coatis live up to 7 to 8 years but in captivity they live up to 15 years. You can actually have a coati or coatimundi for a pet there are very good pets if you have any other pets like a dog I would not buy a coati because they are natural enemies. They can be very active and they will climb all over the house! They are very curios too so you will have too constantly watch them. If you are really thinking about buying one coatimundi proof one of the rooms of the house and let the little guy go wild. They will keep you busy (their nickname is busy bodies) because they are just so busy all the time. the chatter and talk all the time. Have fun with your little friend if you are interested. Just make sure you give him a variety of food! [: http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/coati-baby/5E53578B7517BA359B8A5E53578B7517BA359B8A 

My bibliography --- 

1. The World Book Encyclopedia -- made 1998 -- pages  734 -- 740

2.Funk & Wagnalls -- made 1876 -- pages 388 -- 389

3. Field Guide to Mammals -- author Alfred A. Knopf -- made 1996 -- pages 751 -- 753

4. wikipedia.org

5. Coatimundi (Desert USA) http://www.desertusa.com/may97du_coati2,html   

http://vimeo.com/5157201