The Coati, often called the White-nosed Coati, is an intriguing member of the raccoon family that inhabits the rugged canyons and foothills of southern Arizona, including Sabino Canyon. This tropical species reaches the northern edge of its range in Arizona, where it thrives in the oak-pine woodlands, desert canyons, and riparian zones of the Sky Island mountains.
In Sabino Canyon, coatis are occasionally seen along the creek or on shaded slopes, usually in small family groups called bands, composed of females and their young. Adult males, by contrast, are solitary and sometimes nicknamed “coatimundis.” Coatis are active during the day, using their long, flexible snouts to probe leaf litter for insects, fruits, eggs, and small vertebrates. Their long ringed tails—often held upright like a flag—help them balance as they climb trees or scramble over boulders.
Though naturally curious and not especially shy, coatis are still uncommon in Sabino Canyon and are most often spotted in the cooler months or early mornings when they forage near the creek.