Brown Nosed Coati Natural History
Size
This species has a length of up to 1.1 meters (44 inches), weighing anywhere from 2 to 7 Kg (4.5-15.5 lbs)
Habitat and Distribution
This wide spread mammal can be found in Colombia, Guyana, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina, living in lowland areas.
Age
The average lifespan of this species in the wild is 14 years but in captivity it is around 17 years.
Diet
As omnivores they will eat a mixture of fruits, insects, eggs and small mammals
Groups and Breeding
One male is typically accepted into a band of females at the beginning of mating season, generally between January and March. Females will give birth after 70-75 days in a tree or rock nest. Litters may have between 2 to 7 kittens. After six weeks the mother and her young will re-join the band of females.
Threats
This is a widespread and commonly seen species listed as least concern by the IUCN.
Interesting facts
Groups of females are called bands and can contain as many as thirty individuals.
The Brown Nosed Coati During Your Day Out in Kent
At Wingham Wildlife Park we have two brown and two white brown nosed coati. The two brown ones are twin sisters, Honey and Penelope and the white are named Ice and Bron. They share an exhibit with our raccoons Poppy and Daisy opposite the entrance to the penguins. These big characters have lots of climbing apparatus which they can be seen scampering up and down. However, they are often digging in the wood chip and soil on the floor. There is a keeper talk about them and the raccoons at their enclosure every day at 13.45.
Their diet here at the park is usually made up of dog biscuits and a mixture of fruit and vegetables but their favourite treats are eggs, honey and peanut butter.