South American Coati

South America · raccoon family · forest explorer

Raccoon's cousin. South American coatis belong to the same family as raccoons and are found in the tropical and subtropical forests of South America. They're clever, curious animals that love to explore their forest homes.

Half is tail. An adult coati is about 85 to 113 centimeters long, but here's the cool part: half of that length is just its tail! That long, ringed tail helps it balance and communicate with other coatis.

Variable coloring. Unlike their northern cousins, South American coatis have brown noses instead of white ones. Their fur color can vary quite a bit, and the rings on their tails may be faint or clear depending on the individual.

Mighty but small. These coatis weigh between 2 to 7.2 kilograms, which is about as heavy as a house cat or a bowling ball. Despite their size, they're nimble climbers and determined foragers.