TUCSON, Ariz. — A Tucson man recently got a little too close to one of Arizona's most unique animal species.
A coatimundi bit the man Wednesday in a part of Sahuarita where the man and others were reportedly feeding coatimundis on a regular basis, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
The man was treated for rabies and released. Wildlife officials said the incident is an important reminder that coatimundis are predators and should not be approached by Arizona residents.
A member of the raccoon family, the coatimundi is known for its long snouts and semi-prehensile tails. They can grow to be the size of a small dog and can be found living throughout Arizona's rocky canyons, according to Arizona State Parks.
Coatimundis are social creatures that can live in large groups of 30 individuals. While they're generally not considered very aggressive, coatimundis can get feisty when they feel threatened.
So it's best to admire them from a safe distance.
Game and Fish encourages Arizonans to report incidents of illegal wildlife feeding by calling 800-352-0700.
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