Cozumel coati facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cozumel Island coati |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Procyonidae |
| Genus: | Nasua |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
N. n. nelsoni
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| Trinomial name | |
| Nasua narica nelsoni Merriam, 1901
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| Cozumel Island coati range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Nasua nelsoni |
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The Cozumel coati (Nasua narica nelsoni), also called the Cozumel Island coati, is a type of coati. It lives on Cozumel, a Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea. Coatis are part of the Procyonidae family. This family also includes animals like raccoons, olingos, and kinkajous.
Contents
About the Cozumel Coati
The Cozumel coati is a special animal found only on Cozumel Island. It looks a lot like the white-nosed coati found on the nearby mainland. However, the Cozumel coati is usually a bit smaller.
Is it a Species or Subspecies?
For a long time, people wondered if the Cozumel coati was its own unique species. But most scientists now agree it is a subspecies. This means it's a special type of the white-nosed coati. The small differences in size and other features support this idea.
History on Cozumel Island
Some people think the Cozumel coati might have been brought to the island a very long time ago. It's thought that the ancient Mayans might have introduced them. This is just a guess, but it's an interesting idea!
Protecting the Cozumel Coati
Even though the Cozumel coati is part of a larger group, it faces big dangers. It is believed that the Cozumel Island coati is highly threatened. It might even be close to extinction, which means it could disappear forever. Protecting its home on Cozumel Island is very important.
Gallery
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Cozumel coati family at Fury Beach. Mexico
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Specimen on beach
See also
In Spanish: Coatí isleño para niños
