Cozumel Island Coati
Nasua nelsoni
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae
Genus: Nasua
Species: nelsoni
Introduction to N. nelsoni
: The Cozumel Island Coati is a diurnal
small carnivore closely
related to the raccoon. Currently four species are recognized
within the genus Nasua (Coatis). The focus of this page
is on
the rare Cozumel Island Coati, However the biology of this
species is assumed to be very similar to that of the other three
members of the genus Nasua, in fact N. nelsoni is thought to
be so closely related to N. narcia , that many
taxonomists
regard them as the same species.
Facts & Measures:
Lifespan
14 years
height
8 - 10 inches
body length 15 - 20 inches
tail length 15 - 20 inches
weight
7 - 15 pounds
range
Cozumel Island, Mexico
Description:
The Cozumel Island coati looks similar to a raccoon as do all
within the genus Nasua. The most noticeable
difference
between coatis and raccoons is the elongated snout of the
coati which is thought to aid in their foraging ability.
The
coat of the coati is typically grizzled, and slightly striped, with
a band around the eyes. The dentition and claws also bear
close resemblance to that of the raccoon. They have an
sense of sight, and are able to see color better than raccoons.
Their sense of smell is thought to be excellent due to their
need to forage for food. When startled by sound, a coati will
scurry up the closest tree for protection, however some coatis,
especially those around resort areas have become accustomed
to eating fruit from the hand of tourists. The most noticeable
external characteristic differentiating N. nelsoni from
N.narcia
is size. The Cozumel coati is said to be one third the size of
the
white nosed coati ( N. narcia ).
Habits:
The Cozumel Coati, just as other coatis, is both terrestrial and
arboreal. The long non-prehensile tail serves as a great
balancing tool while moving skillfully through the trees.
Coatis live in troops. Sometimes they may be found in small
groups, however troops of over thirty coatis have been
frequently reported. Although N. nelsoni is
diurnal, It
can be more frequently seen foraging during late dawn,
and early dusk. At night coatis nest in trees.
Feeding habits:
N.nelsoni may be found foraging for food items such as
fruit,
nuts, seeds, rodents, lizards, vegetables, or human trash. If
a food source is found such as a healthy fruit tree, it will be
exploited by the troop until the source is ravished.
Mating habits:
N.nelsoni are polygamous in which one male dominates a
troop of mostly females. Males that are in competition for
females will fight ferociously. Mating generally occurs in
April. The gestation period is approximately three months.
The female will rear and provide for her young alone. She will
have two to six pups that will spend the first four weeks of
their life in the nest crevice in a tree with their mother. The
pups will be weaned at four months, and stick around mom
until the next mating season.
Status in the wild: N.nelsoni
is listed on the IUCN red list as an endangered
species. In order to attempt to increase populations of this
species, the cause for their declining numbers must first be
determined. Studies are currently in progress in order to
better understand the relationship of humans, and their
possible affect on the N.nelsoni population. Other
possibilities
are also being investigated such as introduced animals which
may pose a competition for food sources. Although much
thought and time is going into studying the reasons for
declining populations, and possible ways to reverse the
problem, this is a problem that many people are just now
becoming aware of , therefore no conservation action steps
have been taken yet.
Range:
N. nelsoni is restricted to the cozumel Island of Mexico
links
Henson Robinson
Zoo coati
This page was designed by Lane Cooper , Fall '05, PJC zoo animal techology
for more information contact the SCTAG Education Liaison