Common Raccoon
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Procyonidae Genus: Procyon
Species: Procyon lotor
Also known as the “masked bandit,” the Common Raccoon is a species that can live in almost any environment and eat almost anything. Its high adaptability is crucial to make up for its low survival rate since most young Common Raccoons do not make it past 2 years of age. It is a highly intelligent species that is able to learn complex skills such as opening locks and is able to retain solutions to such problems for about 3 years. It is known to go through trash cans and damage crops, so it is therefore regarded as a nuisance. It can also carry diseases such as the sylvatic plague or rabies, and it transmits parasites to humans and pets. Because the Common Racoon is known for washing its food, its species name, lotor, comes from the Latin word for washer. However, it does not actually wash its food. It has sensitive hands that have over 10 times the nerve endings in a human hand, and when it softens the calluses on its hands with water, it can feel and observe its food.
Conservation status: Least concern
Description: Black fur around eyes that contrasts with the white face coloring; greyish fur; grey, rusty-colored tail with black bands
Length: 16-28 in long; 9.1-12 in tall
Weight: 7.7-20 lb
Diet: Large variety of insects, fish, amphibians, fruits, nuts, eggs, and mammals
Habitat: Slightly wooded areas near water or marshes
Credit source: Animal Diversity Web
