Report of white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) rubbing itself with feces of tayra (Eira barbara) in Costa Rica

Abstract

Captive coatis (Nasua sp.) have been known to fur-rub with various anthropogenic materials, such as manufactured chemicals and soaps, and non-native plants.  However, little is known of their anointing behavior or of the anointing materials they use in nature.  We recorded the activities of free-ranging mammals in a forest clearing in Costa Rica using a ScoutGuard SG565F trail camera equipped for long-range incandescent white flash to record night images.  We observed a male tayra (Eira barbara), an omnivorous mustelid, defecate on a fallen tree in a forest clearing.  After that, 4.3 days later, an adult male white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) approached and nudged the tayra droppings with its snout and forepaws.  It then bit a fecal bolus, conveyed it in its mouth to the base of its tail, and rubbed it on its tail using rapid alternating movements of its forepaws.  This is a rare documentation of fur-rubbing by a free-ranging procyonid with naturally occurring materials, and of the use of feces for anointing by a mammal.