The Volokh Conspiracy

Back from Argentina:

I have now returned from Argentina (as well as brief side trips to Brazil and Uruguay). I'm not going to attempt to describe the tourist sites, as many other people can do that better than I could. But one of the most amazing places I saw was the Iguazu National Park, which spans the border between Argentina and Brazil. Iguazu has breathtaking views and much interesting wildlife. One example is the Coati, pictured here (not one of my photos, which aren't developed yet, but taken from this website).

Coatis are genetically related to raccoons. But unlike raccoons, they are not nocturnal and seem to have no fear of humans. Coatis are also social animals that live in large packs. Often 10 or 12 of them will appear at once and start sniffing you over. Coatis have a female-dominated social structure, with adult males allowed to join the band only during mating season. For more on Coatis, see here.

Related Posts (on one page):

  1. More Coati-Blogging:
  2. Back from Argentina:
o' connuh j.:
Fascinating stuff here as well.
5.28.2006 4:20pm
Jam (mail):
To quote Eleanor Roosevelt when comparing Niagara with Iguazu: Poor Niagara.

Here is a connection between Texas and Iguazu Falls:

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, after spending about 7 years "sight seeing in Texas" then went to South America and became the 1st European to see the Iguazu Falls.
5.28.2006 4:36pm
Andy (mail) (www):

But unlike raccoons, they are not nocturnal and seem to have no fear of humans.


People residing near the Florida Evergaldes know all too well that the raccoons there have mostly lost their natural fear of humans (humans=garbage cans full of food to them).
5.28.2006 4:43pm
Bob Smith (mail):
Can I assume they don't bite or claw you while they're checking you out?
5.28.2006 10:54pm
Anderson (mail) (www):
What Andy said. I yelled at a raccoon on my front porch (in north Miss.) to get away, and it simply looked at me like "is it just words, big man, or are you actually coming out here after me?"
5.29.2006 1:47pm
Adam (www):
The Tri-Border Area is also notorious as an area for money laundering, counterfeiting and other shady behavior. But, yes, those are cute animals.
5.29.2006 11:14pm
wood turtle (mail):
I wonder if the coatis are as destructive to human dwellings as raccoons sometimes are.
5.30.2006 12:23pm