The coatis (Nasua nasua) are medium-sized carnivores, members of the Procyonidae family, exclusive to South and Central America. They occur from the south of Colombia to the north of Uruguay, Argentina and in multiple Brazilian biomes. The species' name comes from its sleeping behavior, meaning: "the one that sleeps with its nose in its belly". Its body can measure from 40.0 to 65.0 cm in length and its tail can vary from 42.0 to 55.0 cm, with males being larger than females. Its coloration is orange, reddish to dark brown or greyish, overlapping with yellow. These variations in coat color are found throughout its distribution area. The tail has lighter rings than the rest of the coat. They have an enlarged head that ends in a narrow and long snout that is very prominent, pointed and highly mobile.
Quatis are sociable, diurnal animals that are very adaptable to modified areas. The females live in packs, while the males live alone as adults. However, the males that are accepted during the mating season (July and August) remain faithful to the group, which is why flocks, which can vary greatly depending on the region, can have up to 30 individuals. Gestation lasts around 75 days and at the end of it, the females separate from the group to give birth in nests built in the trees, where between one and seven chicks can be born, which, when they are a month old, return to the flock with their mothers.
In addition, the coatis uses its elongated snout to search for food, and its opportunistic omnivorous diet can include fruit, insects, small reptiles, crustaceans, fish, amphibians and small mammals. In addition, they can be considered as seed dispersers by consuming fruit and defecating intact seeds, and they also have interactions of association and mutualism with various species of birds. The species is currently considered to be of "low concern" by the IUCN and "Vulnerable" by ICMBio's national list. However, it is still sensitive to the loss of forest habitat. Parque das Mangabeiras, a conservation unit in the municipality of Belo Horizonte surrounded by urbanized and mined areas, has a higher density of coatis than other locations where studies have been conducted with the species.
In this region, the animals are fed by visitors and are often seen accessing the contents of garbage cans both in the park and in homes in the surrounding areas. This reality, combined with the lack of predators, increases the number of coatis, which contributes to a scenario of conflict between animals and people due to situations such as bites, scratches and food theft. These animals can also be run over or contract/spread diseases between domestic and wild animals.
Since 2007, the Quatis Project has been estimating the number of quatis using the mark and recapture technique, thus studying the behavior of the quatis, as well as analyzing the occupation of the area by the flocks. The clinical and health aspects of the flocks are also assessed, as are the impacts of anthropogenic influence on the species. In this way, the project seeks alternatives for minimizing conflicts with the species, drawing up management plans and collaborating in the context of One Health.
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