The Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor), often just called the Raccoon, is a mammal native to America.
Procyon lotor is the most common type of raccoon in North America. Adult weight varies with habitat but an average is 12 to 21 pounds (about 5.5 to 9.5 kg), the largest recorded being over 28 kg [1] (http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/racoon.htm). They have black facial colorings around the eyes, and have a bushy tail with light and dark alternating rings. The coat is a mixture of gray, brown, and black fur. On rare occasions, raccoons may be albino. The characteristic eye colorings make the animal look like it is wearing a "bandit's mask".
Raccoons are nocturnal and eat a large variety of things, including berries, insects, and other small animals. Raccoons are known to "wash" their food before eating it. It is not certain that this act is performed to actually clean food – some studies find that raccoons engage in "washing" even when water is not available.
Mating usually occurs in January or February and a litter of 4–5 young are born in April or May (varies by climate). Raccoons usually live in hollow trees, ground burrows, or caves. Males have no part in raising the young. By late summer the litter will be weaned and begin to fend for themselves. In severe winter climates, raccoons may become dormant but do not hibernate.
At one time, raccoons were aggressively trapped for their fur. People such as Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett are well known for wearing coonskin hats. Populations suffered greatly but have recovered. The raccoon is also well known for being one of the largest animals which have adapted extremely well to cities.
Biology - The raccoon inhabits hollow trees and logs for homes and often use the ground burrows of other animals for raising their young or for sleeping during the coldest part of the winter months.
Often seen washing their food, the raccoon is actually feeling for matter that should be rejected as the wetting of the paws enhances its sense of feel.
The raccoon has five toes and usually the claw marks are evident in the print.
Raccoon tracks are easy to spot because their paw print looks like a pair of small human hands.
In the warm months, raccoons are known for their nighttime activities in neighborhoods where they tip over trash cans, and raid gardens and bird feeders looking for a bite to eat.
By November, raccoons have fattened up to build energy reserves for winter when they are inactive.
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