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Location:

Future Ocelot Exhibit (Old Mountain Lion)

White-nosed Coati

  • After member voting, the coatis have been named Juniper, Aster, & Sage.

  • Descriptors coming soon!

  • Three girls estimated to be 7 months old as of Feb. 2026.

  • The one with the prominent white "V" was dubbed 'Maggie Mae' after the Magma Mine near Superior, AZ, where she was found. 

  • The other 2 girls were found together near Tucson, AZ.

  • I don't know yet which name belongs to which girl.

(see below for more information)


Identifying Features:

  • "Maggie Mae" - prominent white "V" on forehead - has been renamed, but not sure which is which yet.



History:

The Zoo acquired three female white-nosed coatimundi on 01/28/26. They are currently being housed in the old mountain lion habitat, on exhibit and visible to guests.


  • One of the girls was rescued on Aug 5, 2025 from the area of Resolution Copper's Magma Mine near Superior, AZ. She was found by an employee inthe hoist building for the mine. There was a known family troop of coati's in the area, so attempts were made to reunite he with her family, but they were unsuccessful.

  • Around the same time, 2 more coati babies were found by an individual near Tucson and brought to Tucson Wildlife. They were brought to Southwest Wildlife on Aug 15, 2025. There was no more information about these 2 girls.

  • After introductions, the three girls got along very well. Without a troop and adult females to guide them, release back into the wild seemed too risky.

  • SWCC reported that they are busy, messy, happy girls. Always racing around and exploring. They love enrichment of every kind and need lots to keep them busy for sure.

More Information:

  • IUCN: Least Concern

  • Range from AZ to northern Columbia

  • Tropical species - Southern AZ is northernmost habitat

  • Related to raccoon and ringtail

  • Diurnal

  • Males are solitary while females live in groups of 4-5 individuals

  • Forage for fruit, invertebrates, small animals

  • Also know as a coatimundi

  • Part of raccoon family

  • Life span ~10 years in wild; early to late teens in managed care

  • Adults 13 to 27 inches in length from nose to base of tail.

  • Males are larger than females

  • Long, flexible noses that can be rotated up to 60 degrees in any direction

  • Keeps tail erect to help see rest of group in tall vegetation


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