It's a raccoon... It's a monkey... No, it's a Coati

We were vacationing at the Rivera Maya resort hotel in Playa del Carman, Mexico a couple of years ago and we were visited by this cute white-nosed, ring-tailed coati. It lives in Mexico and Central America, also in the jungles of South America.

They seem to be gentle and friendly and gather in mobs when approaching humans looking for food. Although they look harmless and cute, visitors are advised not to feed them or to get too close to them.

The coatimundi, or coati, is a member of the raccoon family found from Arizona to South America. It has a long snout with a flexible nose which it uses to root in the soil for grubs and other invertebrates.

It was a unique and interesting experience to see a Coati up close. If you plan on visiting the Rivera Maya Resort while on vacation -- keep an eye out for the little raccoon-like creatures, as they will amuse delight and amuse you!