The White-Nosed Coati

In the heart of Costa Rica's forests, there's a special animal called the coati, or coatimundi, also known as "pizote" in Spanish. It's curious, with a striped tail and a cute face. You can actually find coatis all over Costa Rica, from the coast to the mountains to the city. They roam free, bringing joy with their playful antics and fun personalities.

Coatis come in four varieties, found only in the Americas: the ring-tailed (or South American) coati, the white-nosed coati, the eastern mountain coati, and the western mountain coati. The eastern mountain coati is particularly rare and endangered. These mammals are native to Central and South America as well as some parts of the southwestern US.

In Costa Rica, you'll find the white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), the largest coati species. They're a joy to watch and often entertain with their playful behavior. With its distinctive striped tail and bandit-mask face markings, the coati might remind you of its cousin, the raccoon. However, these animals have their unique traits. Unlike raccoons, coatis are active during the day, exploring the forest floor for food.

In their natural habitat, coatis have a varied diet, including fruits, frogs, plants, bugs, worms, tarantulas, small animals, fruit, and sometimes scavenged garbage, including human food from picnics and trash bins. They use their keen sense of smell to find food hidden under leaves and their snouts to catch it.

Coatis are sociable creatures, often found climbing trees or traveling in groups of 10 to 30. They're friendly and may watch humans during meals, hoping for food. Typically not dangerous, they stick to their groups, protecting each other. When sensing danger, they quickly climb trees for safety. However, if alone and disturbed, a coati might stand on its hind legs to fiercely defend itself and its territory. It's important to admire them from a safe distance. 

And never feed a coati! They are smart and have learned humans can give them food, but it’s usually not the best for their diet. If they keep thinking humans are trusted sources of food, this makes them easier victims for poachers.

Coatis live in various habitats, from the southwestern United States to tropical areas in Argentina and Uruguay, including rainforests, grasslands, and mountains. In Costa Rica, you can see them freely roaming rainforests, dry forests, and wetlands. Keep an eye out for their distinctive tails held high as they move through the trees. 

You can spot coatis in places like the Arenal Volcano area, Manuel Antonio, Corcovado National Parkor Rincón de la Vieja National Park, where they explore without restriction. Surprisingly, you might even see them in cities like San José, Alajuela, Heredia, and others, as they have moved all over the country in search of easy food.

Coatis mate during specific times of the year, usually from January to April, with pregnancy lasting about 70-77 days. After giving birth, female coatis separate from the group for five to six weeks to care for their young. Baby coatis, known as kits, are born in litters of three to five. They weigh between 8.8 and 13.2 pounds and grow to about 43 inches long.

Kits open their eyes and begin walking within one to two weeks after birth. At around 40 days old, they start joining their mother and the rest of the group. By nine months old, their adult canines start to come in. Male coatis may become solitary and leave the group at around two to two and a half years old.

Despite their adaptability, coatis face various challenges to their survival. Predators such as jaguars, ocelots, and birds of prey pose threats. Human activities like hunting, deforestation, and new development further endanger their existence. 

Car accidents also threaten coatis, although animal crossing bridges have been placed in many locations to help mitigate this risk. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect them and their habitats, ensuring they continue to thrive in the wild for generations to come.

As you explore Costa Rica, keep an eye out for the adorable coati! Join them on their adventures and discover the wonders of the rainforest. If you’re interested in a wildlife and nature vacation we can help out by recommending the best places to stay and locations to visit in your search for wildlife encounters.

• Life span: Coatis in the wild typically live up to seven years.
• Name origin: "Coatimundi" means "lone coati" in Guarani, reflecting their occasional solitary foraging habits.
• Breeding season: Coatis become more romantic when fruit is aplenty, reducing food competition.
• Unique feet: Coatis can rotate their feet over 180°, enabling headfirst descents down treetrunks.
• Communication: Coatis chat with chirps, grunts, or snorts to express themselves.
• Nature's pollinators: White-nosed coatis play a crucial role in pollinating balsa trees in Costa Rica.
• Girl power: Female coatis lead the band, maintaining order and passing down dominance.
• Long-distance travelers: Coatis can cover over a mile in a single day as they roam in search of food.
• Costa Rican mascot: The official mascot created to teach about the prevention and control of wildfires is a coati called Toño Pizote.