Coatis, Scorpions, And the Worm

When we got back from riding we of course went to the beach.
Swam, relaxed, etc.

On our way back up to our room to change for supper,
We spotted something on the path....

A furry something

They were Coatis!!
Donna said they were a type of mongoose,
I thought they looked more related to a raccoon.

They were cute, is what they were.

And I thought it was hilarious that they were hanging out under the
"Don't harm our Nature" sign

Unlike most members of the raccoon family (Procyonidae), coatis are primarily diurnal. Coati females and young males up to 2 years of age are gregarious and travel through their territories in noisy, loosely-organized bands made up of 4 to 25 individuals, foraging with their offspring on the ground or in the forest's canopy. Males over 2 years become solitary due to behavioural disposition and collective aggression from the females, and will join the female groups only during the breeding season.

I think this particular band was Mommas and Youngsters

When provoked, or for defense, coatis can be fierce fighters: their strong jaws, sharp canine teeth, and fast scratching paws, along with a tough hide sturdily attached to the underlying muscles, make it very difficult for predators (e.g. dogs, jaguars) to seize the small mammal.

We didn't see any fights.
There was actually no squabbles at all.

Coatis communicate their intentions or moods with chirping, snorting, or grunting sounds. Different chirping sounds are used to express joy during social grooming, appeasement after fights, or to convey irritation or anger. Snorting while digging, along with an erect tail, states territorial or food claims during foraging.

Coatis additionally use special postures or moves to convey simple messages; for example, hiding the nose between the front paws as a sign for submission; lowering the head, baring teeth, and jumping at an enemy signal an aggressive disposition.

Individuals recognize other coatis by their looks, voices, and smells, the individual smell is intensified by special musk-glands on their necks and bellies.

Me lika the peanut!

Donna had peanuts in her bag, with which we enticed them closer.

A little closer....

Ahhhh. She threw it. Yum.

Another one coming to investigate

Peanut for me?

Then a tram came by and scared them all away, back into the brush.

We heard a rustle behind us...

and there was the youngster,
hoping for more peanuts.

We obliged him, of course.

Who could resist this face?

When we got back to our room,
guess what we found?

A Scorpion!!

A lady Scorpion.

Very cool.

Then we had supper, and went to watch the evening entertainment.

I didn't take pictures, but it was really cool acrobatic stuff.

A little gay.

But fascinating.

I took a picture of Donna...

Quadruple fisted.

Yes, they are margaritas.

And yes, they were all hers......

I told her I was going to tell.