More commonly known as simply Coati, this furry little rascal is a member of the raccoon family!
I've had the distinct pleasure of walking amidst a couple dozen of Coatimundi on our trip to Costa Rica. We were driving a very rough, windy road on our way to Tabacón, the hot springs resort in the northern area to see the Arenal Volcano. Ahead of us on the road, we spotted a tour bus that had pulled over ... and, from the hillside emerged these furry rascals! I was awed by the amiable personality of the coatimundi.
As we fed the Coatimundi, we captured several pictures which I've sprinkled throughout this lens. Enjoy!
Familiar with the coatimundi?
Cast your vote ...
"It's lunch time ... and we're hungry.
Got food?"

Coatimundi in Costa Rica
What is a Coatimundi?
We saw these rascals in Costa Rica ...
Coatis, genera Nasua and Nasuella, also known as Brazilian aardvarks, Mexican tejon,hog-nosed coons,mundoandino.com and snookum bears, are members of the raccoon family (Procyonidae). They are diurnal mammals native to South, Central, and south-western North America. The word "coatimundi" ( Coati at bartelby.com) is a commonly used misnomer applied to solitary adult males of N. nasua. The term is reported to be derived from the Tupi language (Brazil).Merriam-Webster; The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary's etymology of the term is that it's Portuguese cuatimundi from Tupi kuatimu?ne, from kua?ti+mu/ne snare, trick.
"Hmmm ... cool car ... there's probably MORE food in there! Follow me!!!"

Coatimundi hanging around our car in Costa Rica
Tell me more about the family of Procyonidae
What's that??? Coatis AND raccoons, kinkajous, olingos, ringtails and cacomistles.
Procyonidae is a New World family of the order Carnivora. It includes the raccoons, coatis, kinkajous, olingos, ringtails and cacomistles. Procyonids inhabit a wide range of environments, and are generally omnivorous.
Coatimundi in a Bush
Framed Art Print by Walter Meayers Edwards
Coatimundi in a bush Subject Framed Art Poster Print by Walter Meayers Edwards, 29x21
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AllPosters.com is the world's #1 seller of posters, prints, photographs, specialty products and framed art. We're dedicated to bringing our customers the best selection of high quality wall decor that is perfect for their home or office.

Coatimundi emerging from the hillside in Costa Rica
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae
Genus: Nasua
Species: N. nasua
Omnivore
The coati is an omnivore; its diet consists mainly of ground litter invertebrates and fruit.
Insight Guide Costa Rica
"... during the dry season when they gather at waterholes. Deer, coatimundis, armadillos , iguanas and crocodiles measuring up to 5 meters ..."
Insight Guide Costa Rica (Insight Guides Costa Rica)
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 11/25/2009)![]()
One of over 400 titles in the Insight series, Insight Guide Costa Rica. This 298-page book includes a section detailing Costa Rica's history, 8 features covering the country's life and culture, ranging from the spectacular plant life to the best coffee in the worldallegedly, a region by region visitor's guide to the sights, and a comprehensive Travel Tips section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus 283 impressive photographs and 7 maps, including a National Parks and Reserves map.
They are gregarious
Coati females and young males up to 2 years of age are gregarious, traveling through their territories in noisy, loosely-organized bands made up of 4 to 25 individuals.
A Coatimundi at the beach?
Time for a vacation ...
Cute Coatimundi Plush
The news on Coatimundi
- Good citizenship put to students' test at Coatimundi
- In one program, the sixth-grade students in Mary Kotnour's Enrichment class went through the ?...
- A Noah's Ark in the desert
- Jay suggested they sell some of their 160 creatures, including kangaroos, opossums, anteaters and co...
- Beaverton veterinarian writes novel about life of a vet student
- He has even seen a wallaby and a coatimundi. He settled on this specialty after owning a couple of f...
- Teens roll the dice with life choices in maze
- 6, students at Coatimundi Middle School navigated a life-size game board called a teen maze. It dram...
Drop me a line ...
Have you ever seen a Coatimundi in person? Fed one? Been to Costa Rica?
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Reply
- madison madison Aug 24, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
- i have coatimundi, not the bets idea! its a lot of work and care, and a messy job, it flings poo. EEEEWW!!!!!
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Reply
- Lauren Lauren May 7, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
- My school and I went and saw these on that SAME road (really, i saw the pic i swear!!) lol, yeah we were in a big white and blue tour bus thinger... it was in march.. probably march 20th or so.. but they were sooo cute. :D
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More cool coatimundi items
Perhaps you'd like to visit Costa Rica?
And maybe see the Coatimundi up close?
Grab a room in San Jose, Costa Rica
And then drive to Tabacon!
Some other furry rascals you might like
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Lemur -- An Endangered Species
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I've been a fan of the lemur and especially the ring-tailed lemur since I first saw this furry rascal profiled on the Discovery Channel. Being primates, they have a monkey-like personality about them, but are a bit cuter--in my opinion. Because I thi...
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A Weasel -- Curious Carnivore
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I'm a fan of a variety of other furry creatures such as the coatimundi, lemur, and opossum. If ever there was a mammal that can be called a "curious" animal, it's the weasel. As, there's something unmistable about the look of a curious weasel. Photo...
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Opossum -- Eaten During the Great Depression
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As an avid watcher of the Discovery channel and National Geographic specials, I had known quite a bit about the opossum. But, it was not until I moved to Jacksonville that I came up close and personal with an opossum. You see, I'm a bit of a huma...
NOT Coati Mundi
The Coatimundi is NOT to be confused with Coati Mundi which is the stage name of Andy Hernandez, vibraphone player and member of Kid Creole and the Coconuts as well as Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, with longtime collaborator August Darnell aka Kid Creole.
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Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work ... it is just NOT cool so don't do it!
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