COATI

coati, or coati-mundi, the native name of the members of the genus _nasua_, of the mammalian family _procyonidae_. they are easily recognized by their long body and tail, and elongated, upturned snout; from which last feature the germans call them _russelbaren_ or "snouted bears." in the white-nosed coati, a native of mexico and central america, the general hue is brown, but the snout and upper lip are white, and the tail is often banded. in the red coati, ranging from surinam to paraguay, the tail is marked with from seven to nine broad fulvous or rufous rings, alternating with black ones, and tipped with black. coatis are gregarious and arboreal in habit, and feed on birds, eggs, lizards and insects. they are common pets of the spaniards in south america. (see carnivora.)