Instructions
Measure the coati. Adult coatis are about 12 to 28 inches from the head to the base of the tail. The tail is very long and somewhat thin. Coatis can weigh up to 18 lbs., and while the adult males can be twice the size of the females, overall, coatis are about the size of a large housecat.
Check the tail. Coatis have long, thin, fur-covered tails that can be as long as their bodies. Unlike raccoons, coatis have black rings that go completely around their tails. They often walk with their tails held high in the air. Their tails move very much like those of a cat, and are not prehensile like monkeys' tails.
Look for sharp teeth and claws. Coatis have very long, sharp canine teeth and long, black, semi-retractable claws. They look dangerous and could, if provoked, do a great deal of damage. The paws are similar to those of a raccoon or bear.
Look for a long, snubbed nose. A coati has a long nose like that of an aardvark, but it is upturned at the end, similar to a pig's. This is one reason the coati is also called a hog-nosed raccoon. The nose is rubbery and flexible. Coatis have an excellent sense of smell.
Notice the white mask. Unlike raccoons, who have a black mask around their eyes, the coati has white around the eyes and on its snout. There will also be white markings on the ears.
How to Recognize a Coatimundi
The coatimundi--or coati, as it is sometimes called--is a member of the raccoon family, and is common in many parts of central and southern North America. You may see one and wonder what exactly it is; it looks like a cross between an aardvark and a raccoon. Once you learn to recognize the characteristics of coati, you will easily be able to distinguish it from other animals.