Coatis are highly social, intelligent procyonids that thrive in group settings; their welfare in zoos depends critically on appropriate social housing and behavioral opportunities.
Coati welfare in captivity is best supported by group housing of females and young with at least one compatible adult male present seasonally. Social deprivation causes behavioral abnormalities. Their strong foraging motivation requires daily enrichment — scatter feeding, buried food items, rooting substrate, and novel objects keep them occupied and reduce stereotypic behavior. Coatis are physically capable of significant enclosure escapes if not managed carefully; enrichment that directs this intelligence productively is both a welfare and management imperative. Their diurnal lifestyle makes them excellent candidates for interactive exhibits where natural foraging behavior can be observed.