Coati

They are the same animal. "Coatimundi" was originally a misunderstanding — early naturalists in South America saw solitary adult male coatis, which look and behave differently from the female-and-young bands, and classified them as a separate species, giving the loner a Guaraní-derived name meaning roughly "lone coati." Once it was understood that these were simply mature males that had left or been driven out of the bands, the two "species" were merged. Today "coati" and "coatimundi" are used interchangeably for the whole animal, though "coati" is the more common and correct term, and "coatimundi" is still often used in the pet trade.

It is a communication and coordination signal. Coati bands forage on the ground, nose-down in leaf litter and grass where visibility is poor, and holding the long, often boldly ringed tail vertical like a raised banner lets each animal see where its bandmates are and keeps the group from scattering. The tail is not very prehensile and is used mainly for balance when climbing, but as a visual flag on the move it helps a spread-out band of up to 30 stay together. Raised and moving tails are also part of how coatis signal alarm and social status.

Wild coatis are not aggressive and normally flee from people, but at heavily visited sites — national parks, picnic areas, tourist lodges in Central and South America and Arizona — coatis that have learned to associate humans with food can become bold, climbing on tables and bags and occasionally scratching or biting people who hand-feed them or get between a coati and food. Their claws are long and sharp and they can carry roundworm and other parasites. Feeding them is discouraged everywhere because it makes the animals aggressive, unhealthy, and more likely to be killed as nuisances. Keep food sealed and do not let coatis approach.

They are kept as exotic pets, especially in parts of the Americas, but they are a demanding and often disappointing choice. Coatis are highly active, intelligent, and destructive indoors, need a large outdoor enclosure with climbing structures, are difficult to house-train, and — like many wild carnivorans — can become unpredictable and aggressive as they reach sexual maturity, with a serious bite and raking claws. They also have specific dietary needs and can transmit parasites and diseases. Males in particular are usually neutered young to manage behaviour. Many pet coatis are surrendered to sanctuaries within a few years, and keeping them is restricted or banned in many jurisdictions.