Northern Raccoon
Length: 16-26 in (40-65 cm) Social Unit: Individual
Tail: 10-14 in (23-35 cm) Status: Common
Weight: 6.5-8 lbs (3-8 kg) Location: South Canada to Central America
Identification & Coloration
Raccoons have long fur that varies in coloration (pale grey, brown, black), with a black masked face and faint dark rings around the tail. They have short, round ears and eyes.
Habitat & Diet
Raccoons are generalists and are found commonly throughout most habitats (including prarie, woodland and urban areas). They are active during the day and during the night to take advantage of food sources, but are normally nocturnal. Their diet consists of about 40% invertebrates, 33% plant material and 27% vertebrates, because of this they are considered one of the best examples of a omnivorous animal. Raccoons may gather in groups for meal times, but primarily live on their own.
BreedingMales and females will come together for brief mating periods, but the female plays the role of caretaker after she has been bred. She will create a breeding nest in any sheltered area she can find. After a sixty to seventy three day gestetation period, she will give birth to up to seven offspring (most commonly three or four). They will venture from the nest at nine weeks and become independent by six months.
Skills
Raccoons are highly intellegent animals with a multitude of skills. Being generalists and oportunists, they approach every situation with an open mind. Raccoons are skilled climbers, diggers, latch operators and have high agility, making it easy for them to get out or into various dillemas.
Source: Burnie, David, and Don E. Wilson. Animal. [Washington, D.C.]: Smithsonian Institution, 2005. Print.
