You will know it by the tail. A coati walks with it held straight up, ringed and slightly curved, so the first thing you see over the long grass is a row of tails moving in convoy.
Where you’ll see it
Gardens, forest edges, roadsides and beaches, especially anywhere people have left food. They are common across Guanacaste and comfortable near houses. A band crossing a road at a trot is a normal sight on the drive to Sardinal.
What to know
They are curious, dexterous and good at getting into things. A coati that has learned about garbage bins and outdoor kitchens will come back, and a coati that has been fed will come right up and expect more, which is when someone gets bitten.
Do not feed them, keep bins closed, and keep dogs away, because a cornered coati will fight and it is well equipped to. Left alone they are a genuine delight, and a band moving through the garden is one of the better things about living here.
