Coatis

Wildlife of Panama

Coatis (locally called gato solo) are around often in the rainforest and below are a few images taken along the Pipeline road. They are harmless if viewd from a distance but can become agressive if you get to close.

Coatis, genera Nasua and Nasuella, also known as coatimundi, Brazilian aardvark, Mexican tejón, cholugo, or moncún, hog-nosed coons, and other names, are members of the raccoon family (Procyonidae). They are diurnal mammals native to South America, Central America, and south-western North America. Coatis are omnivores; their diet consists mainly of ground litter invertebrates such as tarantula and fruit. They also eat small vertebrate prey, such as lizards, rodents, small birds, birds' eggs, and crocodile eggs. For more on the coatis please see this page here at Wikipedia.