Raccoon
Procyon lotor · Mammal, Vertebrate, Warm-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Procyonidae, order Carnivora, class Mammalia
Animal Category
Wild Predator / Urban Wildlife
Breed / Variety
North American Raccoon
Conservation Status
Least Concern, with a stable or increasing population trend
About This Creature
Medium-sized mammal weighing between 10 to 30 pounds with a stocky build, notable for its facial mask and ringed tail
Physical Characteristics
Distinctive black mask around the eyes, bushy tail with alternating black and yellowish-white rings, dexterous front paws resembling human hands, and dense grayish-brown fur
Behavior & Temperament
Highly intelligent, adaptable, nocturnal, and generally solitary except for mothers and young; known for manual dexterity and investigating objects by wetting them
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
North America, extending from Canada through the United States and into Central America
Habitat
Forest, Wetland, Agricultural, and Urban/Suburban areas; Terrestrial and semi-arboreal
Diet & Nutrition
Omnivore; diet includes fruits, plants, nuts, insects, small rodents, frogs, crayfish, and human garbage
Lifespan & Health
Average lifespan of 2 to 3 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivity; prone to rabies, canine distemper, and parasitic infections
Special Characteristics
Extremely sensitive touch receptors in the front paws enhanced by water immersion; highly adaptable urban survivor
Ecological Information
Acts as both predator and prey in the food chain, helps control insect and rodent populations, and aids in seed dispersal