8 ‘cute’ members of raccoon-like species born in 8 days at Florida zoo. See the babies
Eight coati babies were born at a Florida zoo over the course of eight days after years without a new birth from the species.
Two white-nosed coati moms, Rita and Sky, welcomed five babies and three babies respectively, the Brevard Zoo announced April 16.
Seven years had passed since the last time a white-nosed coati was born at a North American facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the zoo said in a news release.
Then eight came at around the same time.
“Our animal care team has learned so much throughout this process, including that coatis can give birth to multiple babies over a series of days,” zookeepers said.
Sky gave birth April 1-4, and Rita gave birth April 6-8.
White-nosed coatis are part of the same family as raccoons and are native to the Americas, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
They have black, white and gray faces and long tails that they use for balance. The animals grow up to roughly 2 feet long, with tails nearly as long as their bodies. The zoo announced the two moms were pregnant March 22, following efforts to bring more coatis to the zoo to encourage sustainable and genetically diverse population growth.
The two coati moms Rita and Sky were always known to “stay close together,” according to an update from Brevard zookeepers in December 2022.
“Rita and Sky are both bundles of energy,” the zoo said.
The baby coatis already have fans, with people calling the animals “cute” and welcoming the babies to the world.
“So exciting!! I love seeing new additions at the zoo,” one Facebook user wrote.
Brevard Zoo in Melbourne is about a 55-mile drive southeast from Orlando.
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