Raccoon

raccoonbg: RaccoonCOMMON NAME: Raccoon

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Procyon lotor

DESCRIPTION:

This heavy built mammal can weigh up to 40 pounds (18 kg), but averages about 15 pounds (7 kg). It measures 23 - 41 inches (60 - 105 cm) in length. Its color varies from grayish brown tipped with black above to light gray below. The face has a black "mask" and the bushy tail is ringed alternately in buff and black.

Raccoons get their Latin species name, lotor, meaning "washer" from their habit of frequently washing their food before eating it. The food may be clean or the water used dirty so the procedure is not necessarily for cleaning purposes.

LIFE HISTORY:

Life Span: 9 - 10 years in the wild; 13 years captive

Mating Season: December to February

Litter Size: 4 - 5

Litter per year: 1

ECOLOGY:

Habitat: The raccoon is found in well-watered forests and woodland areas.

Niche: Raccoons are omnivorous. They eat fish, frogs, salamanders, birds, mice, insects and plant products such as nuts, fruit, berries, and corn. Predators to the raccoon are the great horned owl, bobcat and domestic dogs.

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