The coati is one of the wonders in the animal world. The best way to describe the coati is 1/3 monkey, 1/3 raccoon and 1/3 house cat. The coati is captured young in South America and made a pet as they are a great mouser and also used as insect control. When I go to South America I see coatis in several houses. Some tied with a make shift halter and others free roaming. The coati eats cat food, fruit, monkey chow, table scraps and anything else it can get in its mouth. The coati does everything with its "hands". It can open cabinet doors, raise the commode lid and just get into everything. I love to watch them eat marshmallows. You will set for hours on end being entertained by a coati. The front claws do cause some problems but to declaw a coati you hinder the animal immensely. The claws are a very real part of the life of the coati. They use the claws to test any foods. I have kept coatis and do dearly love the animals. If you keep them in a cage during the day be prepared for a whirl wind when you let the coati out to play. They love to play with cat toys, hanging ropes , your feet and the house cat once they get to know the cat. The coati is quite able to learn the meaning of the word "NO". When scolded the animal will hide its head and sulk. A person can do nothing but spoil a coati. YOU CAN NOT HELP YOURSELF. I suggest a large inside monkey cage one of a size of 4-5 ft tall, 4-5 ft long and 3-4 ft deep. The coati loves to sleep in a box, trash can, even a five gallon bucket. A few old towels will be the bed. Do not be surprised to see the coati carrying towels, dirty cloths and anything else back to his/her cage during play periods. If a person gets a coati it is like having another child in the house. The coati can have up to two litters a year of up to 6 babies each litter.