The white-nosed coati is also known as the “coatimundi”, originating from Tupian Indian and translating to “belt nose”, referring to the way it tucks its nose under its belly as it sleeps.
The white-nosed coati is also known as the coatimundi (/koʊˌɑːtɪˈmʌndi/).
Coatis are also referred to in some texts as coatimundis. The name coati or coatimundi is Tupian Indian in origin. The prefix coati means belt, and Tim means nose referring to the way the coatis tuck their noses under their bellies to sleep.
The white-nosed coati’s scientific name is Nasua narica. The name Nasua is Latin for nose, possibly for the same reason.
Local Spanish names for the species include pizote, antoon, and tejón, depending upon the region. Tejón translates to badger and is mainly used in Mexico.
• Image | ©️ Thomas Milne, Some Rights Reserved, (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
• Sources | (Braddy, 2003; Emmons, 1997; Gompper, 1998; The Wikimedia Foundation, 2020)
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