Coati
Nasua nasua 
Makushi name: Kuwasi 
Creole name: Kibi-hee 
Size: body=55 cm; tail=55 cm; weight=4.5 kg 
Description: A long-nosed relative of the raccoon with a long tail often held straight up. Body colour varies from orange-brown to dark brown; belly pale yellow. Legs rather short; long strong claws on front feet. Face brown with white spots on cheeks and around eyes; ears short and rounded. Tail bushy at base, faintly to strongly banded. Eyeshine whitish. 
Activity: Diurnal; terrestrial and arboreal. 
Habits: At a distance one may see nothing more than several erect, slowly waving tails as a group of coatis forage on the ground. Groups numbering up to 60 consist of females and their young; males are solitary except during the breeding season. This species climbs well and may feed on fruit in the canopy, or rest on branches during the day and at night, but it also feeds and travels on the ground, digging through the leaf litter and under logs for tubers and invertebrates. Small vertebrates are also taken. When disturbed, one member of the group will bark and the rest of the group will flee, climbing up to a safe vantage. Chitters, squeals and soft calls are also given. 
Habitat: All forest types, second growth, and scrub. 
Signs: Tracks are five-toed, about 45 mm wide, with large foot pads and long claws well-spaced from toe pads. Shallow digging over a wide area and disturbance of the leaf litter indicate the recent activity of a group of coatis. 
Status: Locally common, especially if not hunted.