Coatis are diurnal, omnivorous creatures. They are found in the forests of North, Central and South America and have an average lifespan of about 10 years in the wild.

Excellent tree climbers, they can climb down trees with incredible speed. Gifted with a sharp sense of smell, they can easily sniff out a potential prey. The average weight of coatis is 5 kgs; the males are larger than females.

Coati males generally prefer to live a solitary life, unlike the females who form groups called bands, which are joined by the males only during the mating season.

Coatis spend most of their time during the day hunting for food — which could be anything from lizards, rodents, insects and tarantulas to fruits, nuts and vegetables. They often eat while hanging upside down from a tree branch.

Due to human interference and deforestation, coatis have become an endangered species.