Mammal Web Page

The Raccoon
http://www.huntington.edu/thornhill/images/wildlifephotos/raccoon.jpg
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Procyoninae
Genus	Procyon
Species	lotor

http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/raccoon.htm

www.boquetriver.org/ adopttrack.html

Description of the Raccoon

The most noticeable characteristic of a raccoon is its black mask around the eyes and its bushy tail, with anywhere from 4-10 black rings. Raccoons have stocky bodies. They can weigh from 10 - 45 lbs., but males are usually heavier than females. Raccoons have forepaws that resemble slim human hands. Each paw has 5 toes. Raccoons' fur color ranges from gray to reddish brown to buff. Raccoons have a body length from 60 - 105 cm long, but their tails are about 48% their body length.

http://www.terrierman.com/quarrybio.htm

Habitat of the Raccoon

Raccoons live almost everywhere and are very adjustable. Woodlands near water is a raccoon's favorite place, though. They are also found in farmlands, suburban, and urban areas. Raccoons prefer dens in trees, but may use deserted buildings, barns, garages, burrows, caves, mine shafts, or even houses. The raccoon eats almost everything edible in their environment. They eat foods like corn and maybe even road kill.

http://www.discoverlife.org/nh/tx/Vertebrata/Mammalia/Procyonidae/P

http://www.discoverlife.org/nh/tx/Vertebrata/Mammalia/Procyonidae/Procyon/lotor/images/Procyon_lotor_map.320.jpg.html

Range where Raccoons are found

Raccoons are found from southern Canada to northern South America. Raccoons are found almost all over the United States, but raccoons are not usually found in southwest United States. Raccoons live more in the eastern United States than the western United States.

http://www.adirondackreflections.com/smallgameraccoonslifesize.htm

Foods of the Raccoon

Raccoons are not picky. They eat almost everything edible! Raccoons are omnivorous. They eat more invertebrates than vertebrates. Raccoons may be found eating grapes, cherries, citrus fruits, apples, berries, acorns, plums, figs, watermelons, beech nuts, walnuts, corn, crayfish, insects, rodents, frogs, birds eggs, and maybe even human trash! I told you they weren't picky! Some of the raccoon's natural predators are wolves and coyotes.

http://www.wildcaremarin.org/join/admin.htm

The Life Cycle of the Raccoon

Male raccoons seek out females from January to February. The young are most likely born 63 days after mating in April or May. The young, or kits, open their eyes between 18 - 23 days. They leave the den at 10 weeks of age and forage food with their mom. By fall, the young will leave their mothers, starting the process all over again. A racoon's life span is from 5 - 10 yrs. in the wild, but 13 yrs. (average) in captivity.

http://www.prisonart.org/artwork/ink_art/ink_art.htm

Raccoon's Survival

Raccoons are very adaptable; however, they do need a few basic things to survive. Raccoons need space, shelter, food, and water to survive. They can survive easily because most habitats have all of that available. Raccoon's natural predators are usually wolves and coyotes.

http://home.epix.net/~lmfteach/raccoons.htm

Fun Raccoon Facts

1. Raccoons wake up at dusk, but wait until dark to go outside.

2. "Raccoon" means "he scratches with his hands"

3. People used to think raccoons washed their food before eating- this is proven to be false.

4. Raccoons have a habit of not finishing the corn they are eating and moving on to the next husk, causing farmers to get annoyed.

5. If you give a raccoon a sugar cube, the raccoon will clean it until it dissolves into nothing.

6. Raccoons can easily unlock doors. Talk about sneaky!

http://www.olywa.net/shelter/raccoons.htm

Human Impact on Raccoons

Humans have actually had a positive impact on raccoons. Humans have eliminated many of the raccoon's natural predators. There is also a negative impact on raccoons. It is that humans sometimes hunt raccoons for their furry coat which is used in the manufacture of coats, hats, and trimming.

Description	Habitat	Range	Food	Life Cycle
Survival	Facts	Human Impact	References	Links