Mammal field guide · Raccoons, Coatis, and Allies

Photographing the White-nosed Coati

How to photograph the White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, February, March, April, July and December).

40–70 cm1/2000 s
White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica)
Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Dario Taraborelli via iNaturalist
40–70 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
27,317
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 55 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)106 mm158 mm70 mm53 mm
10 m (33 ft)211 mm317 mm141 mm106 mm
15 m (49 ft)317 mm475 mm211 mm159 mm
20 m (66 ft)423 mm634 mm282 mm211 mm
30 m (98 ft)634 mm951 mm423 mm317 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,057 mm1,585 mm705 mm529 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 10% Jan Feb: 10% Feb Mar: 11% Mar Apr: 9% Apr May: 8% May Jun: 7% Jun Jul: 9% Jul Aug: 7% Aug Sep: 6% Sep Oct: 6% Oct Nov: 8% Nov Dec: 9% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, February, March, April, July and December.

About the White-nosed Coati#

The white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), also known as the coatimundi, is a species of coati and a member of the family Procyonidae (raccoons and relatives). Local names include pizote, antoon, and tejón. It weighs about 4–6 kg (8.8–13.2 lb).

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Nocturnal — try trail cameras or dusk at wetland edges.
  • Get down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
  • Sightings peak in January, February, March, April, July and December, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Raccoons, Coatis, and Allies#

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a White-nosed Coati?

At about 55 cm long, a white-nosed coati fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 211 mm, or at 20 m with 423 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a White-nosed Coati?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a White-nosed Coati?

Observations in North America peak in January, February, March, April, July and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources