Home-range dynamics of white-nosed coatis in southeastern Arizona

Abstract

I studied a population of white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica) in southeastern Arizona from 1996 to 2000 to quantify home-range size and overlap among matriarchal groups (troops) and solitary males. Home ranges of coatis averaged 13.57 km2 ± 1.72 SE for troops (n = 9) and 6.11 ± 1.42 km2 for solitary males (n = 7; kernel-density estimator). Sizes of home ranges and core areas did not change during the study, even though density of coatis declined by ≥60%. Home ranges of males overlapped ≤61%, home ranges of troops overlapped ≤80%, and home ranges of males overlapped those of troops ≤67%. Locations of annual home ranges and core areas shifted slightly from year to year, indicating minor range drift but no nomadism by radiocollared coatis in this population. Mortality due to predation was significantly higher in the periphery of the home range than that predicted based on the probability of occurrence.