Coatimundi - 'Cody'

This is CODY. He is an 8 year old Coatimundi, also known as a Coati (kuh-wah-tee), or Hog-nosed Raccoon. They are found from the southwestern United States to northern Argentina. They are quite adaptable and have moved into many habitat types. Most coatis live in the moist forests of Central and South America.

Coatimundis are excellent climbers but spend most of their time on the ground foraging for food. They eat almost anything including insects, snails, small reptiles and mammals, fruit, vegetables and nuts. The only thing our Cody likes better than one cricket is two!

A Coatimundi is often confused with a raccoon because of the rings on its tail. While Cody is not a raccoon they are from the same family, Procyonidae. Coatis have the same foot structure, with bare soles and powerful, long front claws. They also walk on the soles of their feet, also called plantigrade, like humans. Their coloration varies considerably, from cinnamon-buff to black, and changes with each successive molt. As a normal coloration, they will be grizzled light and dark brown, with a distinctive mask defined by white marks above, below and behind the eyes.

In the wild, Coatimundi are awake during the day (diurnal) and spend the nights nesting in trees. They will often sleep balanced in the fork of a tree. Females will hunt in large groups of up to 30 individuals; however, the males remain solitary until breeding season.