Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0South American coati
Nasua nasua · kuati
A long snout and a ringed tail always held high: a restless neighbor in the eastern forests.
What it is
A member of the raccoon family about the size of a large cat, the coati has a flexible snout and a long ringed tail. Females and young travel in large bands, rummaging through the leaf litter for insects, fruit and small animals. Adult males usually go it alone. It climbs easily and sleeps in the trees.
Did you know…?
In heavily visited spots it loses its fear and comes up begging for food. Don't feed it: it can bite, and human food makes it sick.
Where
Ybycuí National Park, the Itaipú reserves, San Rafael, Mbaracayú and Caazapá National Park.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.