Masked Moocher – Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica

Coatis (also known as coatimundi) are tropical racoons of a reddish brown colour, with dark faces and long tails. These social animals are active during daylight hours and not generally known to be shy. They are omnivores, preferring small vertebrates, fruits, carrion, insects, snakes and eggs. They can climb trees easily, where they use their tails for balance, but they are most often on the ground foraging. Their predators include boas, raptors, hunting cats, and Tayras (Eira barbara). They readily adapt to human presence. like raccoons, they will raid campsites and trash receptacles. They are easily domesticated, and have been verified experimentally to be quite intelligent.