Common Name:Raccoon
Scientific Name:Procyon Lotor
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family:Procynidae
The raccoon (Procyon lotor), sometimes called the common raccoon to distinguish it from other species, is a mammal native to North America. It is the largest of the procyonid family. Three of the raccoon's most distinctive features are its extremely dexterous front paws, its facial mask, and its ringed tail, which are themes in the mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the Americas relating to the animal. The raccoon is noted for its intelligence, being able to remember the solution to tasks for at least three years. The raccoon is bear-like mammal of medium size. Its fur is gray to brown, with a black mask surrounding its eyes and white fur on the outside of the mask, around its nose and a stripe running from its nose to its forehead. It has a ringed, bushy, tail and five toes of each of its black paws. Its paws resemble human hands to some extent. Their toes, being flexible, help it to grab, hold and pull things apart. The raccoon is an excellent climber and is able to descend a tree face first or backwards.
The raccoon is a native of North America and lives throughout the United States, as well as parts of Mexico, Canada, and the north of South America. In the 20th century it was introduced elsewhere in the world and now is common in Russia, Germany, and Japan.
Raccoons can live in a wide range of habitats from cold grasslands to warm, tropical areas. They need to be close by water and prefer to inhabit moist woodland area, but also live in farmland, suburban, and urban areas.
During mating season, males often extent their territory, presumably to encompass the home ranges of potential mates. Raccoons are polygynous and after mating males and females do not continue the association. The breeding seasons runs from February to June. Northern populations usually breed earlier than those in the south. Following a gestation period of about 2 months, the female gives birth to 4-5 kits or cubs. From about 20 weeks old the kits forage with their mother during the night and remain living in her den. Weaning occurs at about 70 days.
The raccoon is an omnivore and what it eats depends greatly on its environment. It will commonly eat fruits, plants, nuts, berries, rodents, frogs, eggs, insects and crayfish. In an urban setting it will sift through garbage for food. Most of its diet is invertebrates and plants.
Raccoons have few predators but can be attacked by cougars, coyotes, and bobcats. Disease, infection, and cars accidents are the primary threats.
Least Concern