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ZAI can’t help but kiss this baby coati.
At just eight weeks old, she’s already showing her mischievous side! She’s climbing, exploring, and doing her best to steal the show (and whatever else she can get her tiny paws on).
Coatis look like nature crossed a raccoon with a monkey, added a long snout, tossed in a striped tail, and then said, “Let’s make this one extra curious.”
Native to Central and South America, coatis are members of the raccoon family and are known for their intelligence, agility, and mischief.
This’s one’s name is Loca (after Loci, the God of mischief).
Don’t let that adorable face fool you! Coatis are one of nature’s most mischievous creatures. They’re also extremely social, especially the females and their young, who form tight-knit groups called “bands” that travel, forage, and get into trouble together.
Loca is a South American coati (Nasua nasua), from Venezuela, which tends to be a little stockier, darker, and rockin’ a ringed tail with bold black bands.
Here are a few fun facts about baby coatis:
• They’re born blind and totally dependent on their moms.
• Moms build nests high in the trees to keep them safe from predators.
• They’re natural climbers with flexible ankles that let them descend trees headfirst.
• They use their long snouts to sniff out food.
• Even as babies, they chirp, squeak, and trill to communicate.
And, I don’t know who figured this out. But, when you reverse the video footage, they really do look like tiny, fuzzy brontosauruses.
If you love animals, adorable chaos, and learning about some of the lesser-known creatures that share our world, you’re in the right place.
You can meet Loca at Raptor Hallow Sanctuary in Alliance, OH, along with some other amazing creatures!
@zanelamprey
