White-nosed coati

Scientific name: Nasua narica

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Coatis are stocky animals with elongated snouts, small rounded ears, and distinctive white facial markings around the nose and eyes. They have grayish-brown coats with darker dorsal stripes, a long ringed tail held upright when walking, and males are noticeably larger and heavier than females.

Size and weight

Females: 3.5–4.5 kg, 41–67 cm body length. Males: 4.5–6.5 kg, 48–68 cm body length. Tail adds 32–69 cm.

Habitat

White-nosed coatis inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, and scrublands from lowlands to mid-elevation slopes up to 2,500 m. They favor areas near water with dense understory and fallen logs for foraging.

Distribution

Found from southern Arizona and New Mexico through Central America to northwestern South America (Colombia and Venezuela). Most common in humid tropical forests and forest-edge habitats across lowland and foothill zones.

Diet

Omnivorous; feeds heavily on invertebrates (grubs, beetles, earthworms), small vertebrates, fruits, and plant material, with seasonal preference for fruits when abundant.

Behaviour

Diurnal and highly social, traveling in troops of 4–25 individuals led by females; males are solitary except during breeding. They are active foragers that spend much time rooting in soil and leaf litter, moving predictably through established territories.

Hunting tips

Look for V-shaped nose prints in mud near streams and distinct claw marks (5 toes, claws prominent) in soft earth; droppings contain fruit seeds and invertebrate remains. Approach from downwind along forest edges and stream corridors during early morning hours, moving slowly to intercept foraging troops. Glass open areas and forest gaps; coatis often move in predictable patterns between feeding and denning sites.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.

Mexico

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.