Abstract
The construction of arboreal nests is rare among mammals in the order Carnivora. However, coatis (Procyonidae: Nasua Storr, 1780) build arboreal nests that are used for resting or birthing. Here we describe Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) nests located during a telemetry study of coatis in the Brazilian Pantanal. Coati nests were all bird-like, that is, open nests having a semispherical shape. Nests were constructed of twigs, branches, and lianas sometimes interlaced with leaves. Nest volume was 30-50 cm3 and average nest height was approximately 9.5 m. Nests were found in open cerrado vegetation, along forest edges, or in interior cordilheiras forest. The reasons why coatis build such nests are unclear, but may relate to inter or intraspecific competition for nesting sites, litter size, thermoregulation, and predation avoidance.
Highlights
Selection and modification of a site for resting or giving birth is a critical choice for animals because it influences susceptibility to predators and thermoregulatory costs
We describe Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) nests located during a telemetry study of coatis in the Brazilian Pantanal
The construction and use of such nests is rare among mammals, several mammal taxa, such as some tree squirrels, primates, and coatis (Procyonidae: Nasua Storr, 1780) build nests in trees that are used in two distinct contexts: reproduction and resting (KAUFMANN 1962, KAPPELER 1998, STEELE & KOPROWSKI 2001)
Summary
Selection and modification of a site for resting or giving birth is a critical choice for animals because it influences susceptibility to predators and thermoregulatory costs. Coatis (Procyonidae: Nasua Storr, 1780) build arboreal nests that are used for resting or birthing. The construction and use of such nests is rare among mammals, several mammal taxa, such as some tree squirrels, primates, and coatis (Procyonidae: Nasua Storr, 1780) build nests in trees that are used in two distinct contexts: reproduction and resting (KAUFMANN 1962, KAPPELER 1998, STEELE & KOPROWSKI 2001).
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