Coatis live together in groups of females and youngsters. The males tend to be solitary, except during the breeding season.

Coatis are active most of the day, when they search for food in groups of five to thirty. They use many different sounds to keep in touch with each other and warn against approaching enemies. When hunted they climb trees, where they also sleep.

They use their nose to forage through layers of leaves and soil looking for small invertebrates. Their long claws are well suited for digging into the holes of small rodents.