We know about the bobcats, mountain lions, javelina, mule deer, coyotes, quail, hawks, fox, rabbits, roadrunners and rattlesnakes using the no-man's land dividing our backyard from Catalina tee box No. 22. Now add coati to that list.
Admittedly, this discovery doesn't match the excitement expressed by my pal, Wayne Kasich, retired publisher of the International Falls Daily Journal, who last week reported a dead moose beside the railroad tracks running behind his northern Minnesota home. The moose was the apparent loser in a bout with the north-bound Canadian-Pacific. Within hours, predators had thoroughly cleaned the crash site, leaving only flash-frozen moose dung behind. This trace evidence was eagerly scooped, wrapped and mailed by U.S. Postal Service to Wayne's deer-hunting friend for close examination, speculation and discussion about the late moose's eating habits.Mr. Kasich chose to include us in his study group by simply sending a brief email with the particulars. At 75 degrees and sunny, we are grateful for this.
Our good neighbor in Tucson, Dick Krueger, is no less dedicated to the outdoor arts. From time to time he can be seen in his backyard, busily sweeping and grooming a patch of ground. Initially, we ignored this curious behavior, allowing him the dignity and privacy earned after a life-long career at a major corporation. After all, if a gentleman in his golden years chooses to sweep dirt, stare at the ground and mumble, is that any business of ours?
Fortunately, Dick eventually approached us with an explanation: He and his Jack Russell, Lucy, keep a patch of loose ground cleared to track the critters patrolling the neighborhood. He's sleuthed a wealth of clues from the usual suspects. But on Jan. 29 he noticed a particularly puzzling set of tracks. He's made a study of what to expect in these parts, but wasn't certain of this find. So as any competent detective might, he consulted authorities with his photos and an opinion. Yesterday, Janice Przybyl at the Wildlife Linkages Program, Sky Island Alliance, confirmed to Tracker Dick that he had, indeed, tracked a coati.
If you don't know a coati from a coyote, check your wiki: The coati, genera Nasua and Nasuella, also known as the hog-nosed coon,[1] snookum bear, and the Brazilian Aardvark, is a member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae); a diurnal mammal native to South, Central, and south-western North America. The word "coatimundi" (pronounced /koʊˌɑːtɨˈmʌndi/ [2]) is a commonly used misnomer applied to solitary adult male N. nasua. The term is reported to be derived from the Tupi language (Brazil). Reports that this term is from the Guaraní language are likely untrue.[citation needed]
We're thrilled to know of a new, night-time neighbor patrolling the area. But despite all the wildlife, things are not as primitive here as one might think. After all, Dick simply took some digital photos of his discovery and emailed them to the authorities for confirmation.
No mailed samples.
