A creature that looks like a raccoon, the coatis is often seen coming up to cars and begging for food. We saw it virtually everywhere. Along the road to Arenal, several of these cute lil' critters approached our vehicle.

Behavior & habitat of the Coatis

The coati is widespread and lives in Central America. It is a diurnal animals that is gregarious and travels through territories in loosely organized bands which can be made up of 4-24 individuals. Males over two years of age are solitary while females join groups during breeding season.

The coati is an effective communicator and chirps, snorts and grunts to express social grooming, appeasement or irritation and anger. If it is snorting and has an erect tail while digging, the coati is stating territorial claim.

Adult coatis can measure between 33-69cm (13-27 inches) and can weigh between 3-8kg (6-18 lbs). Coatis have a slender head with an elongated upward-turned nose, small ears, dark feet and a long tail, which is used for balance and signaling.

The coati has a long brown tail with rings displayed. The ring completely encircles the tail. The coati often holds his tail erect.

The coati has raccoon-like paws that are non-retractable. The coatis is double jointed and the ankles rotate by 180° which gives it the ability to descend a tree head first.

The coati is an omnivore and eats ground litter invertebrates and fruit. They also eat lizards, rodents, small birds and bird eggs.

Reproduction of the Coati

The breeding season is during rainy season when there is a lot of food available. An adult male is accepted into a band of females during breeding season resulting in a polygamous mating system.

Once pregnant, the female separates from the group and builds a nest in a tree or rocky hole. Gestation last for about 11 weeks and the litter is usually between 3-7 babies. Six weeks after the birth of the litter, the female and babies rejoin the band.

Females become sexually mature at two years of age, while males reach maturity at three.