Raccoon Facts
Raccoon Facts
2. Found in Southern Canada and throughout the United States
Live along streams, forests, coastal marshes, and scavenging garbage cans.
Usually make their home in hollow logs and trees.
They do not live in coniferous or desert areas, or in artic tundra.
3. It’s scientific name is Procyon Lotor meaning “washer bear”.
4. It comes from the Procyinds family which includes, Ring tails, Coati’s, and Kinkajous.
5. The most prominent characteristic of raccoons are:
The 4-6 black or brown rings on the tail.
The black mask.
The bushy tail.
6. They’re often found washing their food. The wetness makes their paws very sensitive-allowing them to reject foods .Most male raccoons grow the size of a housecat but can grow up to 3 ft. 3 in. and weigh in around 40 lbs.
7. They come in a variety of colors.
8. Most are grayish-brown, gray, or brown, but some are golden, white with black eyes, albino, or have reddish undertones. Ears are small with feet and fore paws being dexterous.
9. Footprints are paired-
Rear foot aligns besides front foot Print resemble that of a tiny bear.
10. Each paw has five toes with claws.
11. Raccoons eat grapes, nuts, grubs, crickets, small mammals, birds eggs, fish, frogs, crayfish, berries, mice, peanut butter, cornbread, and rare loon eggs which makes conservationists angry.
12. They are omnivorous animals.
13. Raccoons do not hibernate, they aestivate.
14. They sleep for long amounts of time but can be awoken .
15. Hibernating animals cannot be awoken.
16. Breeding season begins around February, sometimes even in December.
17. In the springtime, mother raccoons give birth to about 4-5 young. She carries them by the neck when they are small.
18. Baby raccoons are usually weaned by late summer.
19. Raccoons store their fat in their tails. This is why it is usually very scrawny in the winter.
20. Winter is a harsh time for Raccoons. It is hard to find food in these months,
21. Raccoons are often hit by cars because they react like they would with predators.
22. They freeze in hope of not being seen.
23. Raccoon rabies is the most dangerous form of wildlife rabies this is because of their tendencies to look for food in urban areas near people.
24. Raccoon feces may carry roundworm eggs.
25. Infection of roundworm into the body can be very dangerous if not fatal.
26. The raccoon is really good at swimming. For many years it was believed that raccoons always washed their food before eating it. In order to swallow it.
27. Babies raccoons are called kits and live in a den.
28. Raccoons are excellent climbers and are one of the few mammals that can descend vertical tree trunks headfirst.
29. The raccoon has long been harvested by humans for its fur and meat. Its pelt was in greatest demand during the 1920s, when raccoon coats were extremely popular. The fur of raccoons can be used to produce items ranging from coats to hats.
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