366 Animal Life 
the Brazilian area; whilst the white-nosed species ranges further north, being 
mostly seen in Central America, although occasionally found in Mexico. In Guatemala 
it is almost the commonest of mammals, and is found pretty evenly distributed over 
all altitudes from sea-level to the top of the mountain-forests nearly ten thousand 
feet above that level. In those districts in which they are to be found, these 
animals are often kept as pets, either by being chained up to a pillar like a monkey 
or a dog or else having the free run of the premises. 
The cage for a coati should be made of one-inch wood planed smooth, and a 
convenient size would be four feet long by three feet in height, and the same from 
back to front; galvanised netting is not strong enough for these animals, and 4-inch 
or g-Inch rod-iron is necessary. A loose closed-in box with a one-third opening serves as 
sleeping compartment, but will not be often legitimately used, the coati usually preferring 
to sleep on top in the space between it and the roof of the cage; but if no box is 
provided the animal does not like it, and is extremely restless over the matter. <A 
portion of a tree-branch ought to be provided, as the coati is arboreal in its habits. 
Like the Great Dane of dog-fanciers, coatis are very capricious in their affections, 
often being on bad terms with persons who have never done anything to upset 
them. They cannot bear being teased, and very quickly display marked symptoms of 
an irritable temper, usually by suddenly protruding one of their fore-limbs, or occasionally 
both, and endeavouring to scratch the hand or tace of the offending individual. They 
are most lively creatures, and are always in a state of constant activity, ceaselessly 
trotting from one end of their cage to the other, or else climbing up and down the 
tree-trunk provided for their benefit, only stopping at the approach of their owner to 
put their backs against the wires of the cage for him to scratch—a thing they delight in. 
When properly tamed, and they have got quite used to their owner and the people about 
the house, they may, to a very limited extent, be allowed partial liberty and permitted 
to run about the house, provided always that there are no cage-birds or pigeons present ; 
for if there are the coati will soon scent them out with his keen nose and make an 
enjoyable meal off them. In this respect these animals are worse than any cat, and 
if allowed out in the garden are much more artful in catching birds than the 
latter. A cat, even when adult, can often be broken of this habit; but, according 
to the writer’s experience, the coati never can, the habit being so thoroughly ingrained 
into its nature as to be ineradicable. If the house is infested with rats or mice 
the coati will soon make them seek fresh quarters, being quite as good for this sort 
of thing as the mungoose. When annoyed these animals give vent to shrill shrieks 
of displeasure. 
The food must be varied as much as possible and given perfectly fresh to keep 
these animals in a healthy condition, as they are liable to dysentery; stalky greens, 
potatoes, pieces of cooked meat—beef for preference—mice, rats, fruit, eges, small birds, 
snails, frogs, and small insects, as well as rice and worms—in fact they are practically 
omnivorous—form the usual dietary. They are very fond of worms, and if allowed 
out in a garden usually commence scratching the ground in search of them, uprooting 
plants and often doimg extensive damage unless noticed in time. It is well not to 
leave the water-vessels in the cage, as they are almost sure to get knocked over by 
the coati during its ceaseless movements; the liquid food may be conveniently given 
two or three times a day. 
Owing to the carnivorous habits of these creatures perfect cleanliness is imperative, 
and the cage must be swept out every day. This operation, until the animal gets 
used to its owner or whoever else looks after it, is attended with difficulties. The 
door of the cage, having regard to the size of the animal, cannot very well be less 
than a foot or eighteen inches square, and the opening of this door is usually but 
