Saturday, October 24, 2009

Coati - Camera Critter

Here are pictures of the coati we saw on our walk in Sabino Canyon on Monday. From a distance it looked like a monkey of some sort in the tree. The long tail is used for balancing, but it is non-prehensile.
We did the best we could photographing the animal with the bright sun behind it. We watched it for about a half hour. It seemed comfortable being observed by people standing on the paved road.
White-nosed Coatis belong to the raccoon family. The park ranger said this was probably an adult male because it was large and alone. Female and juvenile coatis are usually found in groups of 4 to 25.
We didn't hear any sounds coming from the coati. But they are known to communicate with chirps, snorts and grunts.


The long, slightly upturned snout is flexible, and can be rotated 60 degrees in any direction. Their ankles can rotate beyond 180 degrees.


It was eating these tiny orange berries from the Netleaf Hackberry tree.
Coatis live in wooded areas from southern Arizona and New Mexico, through Mexico and Costa Rica to Columbia.


Here's a short coati video without sound:


This is my first time participating in the Camera Critters meme for people who love animals. For more pictures of critters, please visit Camera Critters.

33 comments:

eileeninmd said...

What a cool critter. I've never even heard of a Coatis until now. Wonderful photos of your critter.

Teri said...

Awesome find Diane!!!!!!!!!!

Salitype said...

wow! wonderful shots! and unbelievable that the ankles can rotate beyond 180 degrees, amazing!

i love the shot eher he was standing and holding onto the leaves as if sniffing it..fantastic!

eng

Gaelyn said...

This coati was obviously obsessed with the berries. What a great bunch of captures, especially under the circumstances. Very cool to have ankles that turn to far when climbing high in trees. Excellent captures and post Diane.

Snap said...

Welcome to Camera Critters! There are coatis at our childrens zoo. I always to go by to see them ... cute little guys and usually pretty active. Wonderful shots. Thanks for sharing with us!

Unknown said...

lovely!!! what a nice experience!

We love Luna said...

wow magnificent post, this critter is so beautiful and different, I did not know it!
Great post,
Happy camera critters
purrs and love
Luna

Carolyn Ford said...

How exciting to come upon this critter...a coatis. I hadn't heard of this animal before. Excellent series of photos that tell a great story! Great post!

betchai said...

i do not think i have seen this before Diane, what a very interesting find and wonderful pictures you have.

Unknown said...

Nice post. I wonder how many of those orange berries it would need a day.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Welcome to Camera Critters. I have not heard of coaties before either, how interesting.

Julie said...

What an absolutely stunning creature! That face will melt your heart!

Lindy said...

Those are some awesome shots and video you captured! That's one cute coati! Thanks for sharing all the information about it. I'm impressed with their ankle rotation!

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

Great photos of a coati. i did not realize they were in the Sonoran Desert. I learned something new. I see them in Costa Rica. I enjoyed your site and signed up as a follower.

Lilli & Nevada said...

Oh My i have never heard or seen one of these before he is actually very beautiful. Nice photos

Indrani said...

Great captures from the wild. I have never seen the likes before in the open.

Ezhilan said...

This post is very interesting with lots of action photos,information and a video. The video makes it possible to watch how it moves through the trees with agility. This animal looks cute with white rings around the eyes.

Marvin said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing your great captures of the coati.

Anonymous said...

Great series of shots, Diane, and the information about the snout and ankles are fascinating. I have to stop and imagine these rotation..

What a very unique critter!

Glynis Peters said...

I have never seen one before, thanks for sharing your fantastic shots!

Warren said...

Great pictures!

SquirrelQueen said...

Fascinating animals, I have read about them but have not seen one in person. Maybe some day.
Your photos are great, I also enjoyed the video.
The Road to Here

Jen said...

Very cool. If I spot him next time there I will know what it is. :)
I finally made it to Sabino Canyon on Thurs evening in search of a good sunset picture, but it was behind us (left late) and missed it. We did tour the entrance and will be headed out there again in December.

Martha Z said...

What a thrill to get these shots and be able to observe him for so long. Excellant and informative post.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great Diane..... I am so glad you shared more info and more pictures of the Coati. That is such a fascinating animal. Thanks so much for sharing.

Hugs,
Betsy

kesslerdee said...

wow wow wow! I've never heard of these- he is sooo cute!

Prospero said...

A fascinating animal, Diane. I sincerely hope that their conservation status is not threatened. We need to share the planet.

Kathie Brown said...

I am so jealous! I have lived here for 2 1/2 years now and I have yet to see one of these! Every time we do our bird survey in Sabino Canyon I hope to see one but no luck so far! I am happy you got to see it though!

yoon see said...

Hello Diane,
You always have a creative lens with you He,,He,,
This coati is so cute.
Jumping here and there, so fun, if only we enjoy life to the fullnest!
My wish to you.
Happy day and make a wish.

I want to illustrate it one day!

Sandy said...

How fortunate I couldn't sleep this early morning because I found your wonderful blog! Thank you for sharing your great pictures. It must have been an adventure capturing them.

yoon see said...

I also love the 3rd photo from the bottom. In serch of a cool niracle light in the woods!
Happy weekends:)

Ayie said...

wow, this is my first time seeing that!

Kantiki Jayamana Whateva said...

No... way! I swear I discover at LEAST one new creature I didn't even knew existed whenever I return to the Canyon. I hadn't even heard of the Coati until your post, but I find the trick is simply to take your time and really pay attention to the land. Awesome to find such a great blog on Sabino Canyon. Cheers!