San Pedrillo, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Related to raccoons, coatis have very flexible habits, which will allow them to live in a wide variety of habitats. At home in both the treetops and on the ground, they forage for fruits and small animals, mainly invertebrates, though they have been known to catch small vertebrates such as lizards and mice. A very thin, generally erect ringed-tail and a very versatile snout are two of their most obvious characteristics, along with a very conspicuous white nose and white spectacles.

Some of us were really lucky today, and walked right into a group of about fifteen individuals. In general, large groups as this one are usually made up of females, males under two years of age, juveniles, and infants of both sexes. Mature males leave their groups and roam alone through the forest, until the breeding season begins. Then, one adult male joins each group and remains with it for the entire mating period. While in the group, the males are subordinate to the females; and, thus, everything is as it should be….