Western Mountain Coati
Nasuella oliviacea
ICUN Status: Near Threatened
Educational Video from The Bioparque La Reserva
Surveillance from The Dracula Reserve, Ecuador
Why am I Near Threatened ?
- My habitat is being destroyed for farming and housing.
- I LOVE bugs, and when I dig, I accidentally ruin farmers’ crops, they see me as a pest and will trap me for sale or kill me.
- I’m hunted for my meat and fur – some silly people even think I’m an aphrodisiac!!
- Once tourists feed me, I become too dependent on people and frequently go to populated areas- – This is dangerous for me.
- I don’t know road rules, and sometimes I’m hit by cars.
About Me
I am half the size of the White and Brown Nosed Coati and considered to be a dwarf Coati. My coat colour is olive green, which is uncommon for mammals.
- From nose to bottom I can reach up to 30cm in length.
- My tail on its own can reach another 30cm.
- We communicate to each other through various squeaks, squeals and grunts (we sound like we’ve swallowed a chew toy)
- There is no published data on my lifespan, however, it is predicted to be around 13 years old in specialized human care.
- I am rare to find in the wild, due to deforestation & hunting.
- I am found in 1 of 2 Human Care facilities in the world! Find me at the Bioparque La Reserva in Cota, Columbia
Habitat
Western Mountain Coati are known to be found in Western Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, favouring high altitudes. They have been located in the Paramos and High Andean Forests.
They control the underground invertebrate’s population, as their diet is predominantly insectivorous.
They are occasionally active during the day, however, they prefer to avoid predators and competitors by being their most active during the night.
Diet
The Mountain Coati mostly feed on a variety of insects and fruit. Including beetles, larvae, ants, crickets and millipedes.
However, they are also opportunistic feeders. Commonly known to feed on frogs and carrion beetles.
Family Life
The Bioparque La Reserva is now the home of a number of Western Mountain Coati. Their litter sizes are 1-3 cubs and locate themselves in hanging nest boxes and ground nests made of grass.
Mountain Coati are thought to be gregarious, forming social groups (bands) that consist of 6 to 8 female adults and both female and male babies. Their band sizes are smaller than the Brown and White-Nosed Coatis. Adult males are solitary and only tolerated during the mating season. For this reason, only groups of females and their offspring have been seen in the Reserva.
Fun Fact: Female Coatis act as a sisterhood, raising all the kittens together!
- Habitat
-
Habitat
Western Mountain Coati are known to be found in Western Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, favouring high altitudes. They have been located in the Paramos and High Andean Forests.
They control the underground invertebrate’s population, as their diet is predominantly insectivorous.
They are occasionally active during the day, however, they prefer to avoid predators and competitors by being their most active during the night.
- Diet
-
Diet
The Mountain Coati mostly feed on a variety of insects and fruit. Including beetles, larvae, ants, crickets and millipedes.
However, they are also opportunistic feeders. Commonly known to feed on frogs and carrion beetles.
- Family Life
-
Family Life
The Bioparque La Reserva is now the home of a number of Western Mountain Coati. Their litter sizes are 1-3 cubs and locate themselves in hanging nest boxes and ground nests made of grass.
Mountain Coati are thought to be gregarious, forming social groups (bands) that consist of 6 to 8 female adults and both female and male babies. Their band sizes are smaller than the Brown and White-Nosed Coatis. Adult males are solitary and only tolerated during the mating season. For this reason, only groups of females and their offspring have been seen in the Reserva.
Fun Fact: Female Coatis act as a sisterhood, raising all the kittens together!
