Mammals diurnal

South American Coati

Nasua nasua

The South American Coati is the forest's most charismatic socialite. With a periscope-like tail and a nose for adventure, these intelligent mammals bring a sense of playful energy to any backyard camera.

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Quick Identification

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Size

85–113 cm (33–44 in) in total length; weight ranges from 2–7.2 kg (4.4–15.9 lb)

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Colors

Variable fur ranging from reddish-brown to gray-brown; tail features dark rings; dark brown or black snout without the white markings of its northern relatives

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Key Features

Long, flexible snout used for probing crevices
Ringed tail often held vertically while walking
Strong, non-retractable claws for climbing and digging
Highly social behavior with females traveling in large 'bands'

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7-11 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Omnivorous and opportunistic; they use their sensitive snouts to find beetles, spiders, and land crabs, but also eat fruit, bird eggs, and small vertebrates.

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Habitat Tropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, and increasingly found in suburban areas adjacent to green belts.

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Behavior

The South American Coati is a highly social and intelligent member of the raccoon family. Unlike most of their relatives, coatis are primarily diurnal, meaning you are most likely to spot them during the day. They are famous for their 'bands'—social groups of up to 30 females and juveniles that travel together to forage, groom, and protect one another. Adult males, however, are typically solitary and only join the bands during the breeding season.

These animals are incredibly agile, moving seamlessly between the forest floor and the high canopy. When moving through thick undergrowth, they often hold their long, ringed tails straight up in the air, acting as a visual signal to keep the group together. They are vocal creatures, communicating with a variety of chirps, snorts, and grunts that your camera's microphone might pick up if they get close enough.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of South American Coatis, camera height is your most important variable. Because they spend the majority of their day foraging with their noses to the ground, mount your camera low—about 12 to 15 inches (30-40 cm) off the forest floor. Angle the camera slightly upward to ensure you capture their full profile, especially that iconic upright tail. If you have a tree with low-hanging fruit in your yard, consider a second camera mounted at chest height to catch them as they climb.

Since coatis travel in groups, using 'Burst Mode' or 'Multi-Shot' is a must. A single photo will likely only catch the lead female, but a three-to-five shot burst will capture the chaos of the entire band following behind. Alternatively, set your camera to record 15-20 second video clips. Coatis are very active and their social interactions—grooming, playing, and occasional squabbles over food—are far better documented in video than in still images.

Attracting coatis naturally is easy if you have fallen logs or piles of leaf litter, as these are 'supermarkets' for the insects they love. During the dry season, a shallow ground-level water dish is an irresistible draw. Be aware that coatis are famously curious and may investigate your camera with their sensitive snouts. Using a metal security box (bear box) can prevent them from knocking the camera out of alignment or chewing on the casing. If your camera allows for it, set a fast trigger speed (under 0.5 seconds) to catch these quick-moving mammals before they vanish into the brush.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with South American Coati.

White-nosed Coati

Has a prominent white band around the snout and a more northern range reaching into the US.

Crab-eating Raccoon

Primarily nocturnal with much coarser fur and a more hunched-back appearance when walking.

Ring-tailed Cat

Significantly smaller, strictly nocturnal, and features much larger eyes relative to its head size.

Frequently Asked Questions

South American Coatis are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the daylight hours. You are most likely to see them foraging in the early morning and late afternoon, often taking a rest during the hottest part of mid-day.

The best way to attract them is to provide a natural foraging habitat, such as leaving fallen logs or leaf piles where insects can thrive. They are also drawn to fruiting trees and ground-level water sources, especially in drier climates.

They are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet consists of a mix of invertebrates like beetles and spiders, small vertebrates like lizards and mice, and a significant amount of fallen or low-hanging fruit.

Yes, they are highly adaptable and frequently visit suburban neighborhoods that border parks or wooded areas. They are known to raid bird feeders or explore trash cans if they aren't properly secured.

The South American Coati lacks the distinct white 'mask' and white snout found on the White-nosed Coati. It generally has a more uniform brown or dark snout and more variable body coloration.

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