# Raccoon (*Procyon lotor*) Raccoons are clever animals with masked faces and ringed tails. They are excellent climbers and love to explore at night. Raccoons are known for their dexterous paws that can open jars and even doors! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 412 - **Habitat:** Forests, Urban areas - **Also known as:** Common Raccoon, North American Raccoon ![Raccoon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426023/objects/6348.jpg) ## Appearance The Raccoon has a distinctive black 'mask' across its eyes and a bushy tail with 4-7 dark rings. Its body is covered in dense, grizzled grey fur, appearing stockier than a fox with short legs and very nimble, hand-like front paws. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Procyonidae - **Genus:** Procyon ## Interesting facts - Raccoons can hear earthworms moving underground and identify food sources by sound alone! - Raccoons can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees, allowing them to climb down trees head-first! - Their scientific name, Procyon lotor, means 'before-dog washer,' referencing their food-dunking habit. - Though often seen dunking food, raccoons don't actually 'wash' it; they are feeling for texture! ## Special abilities - **Nimble Paws:** Raccoon can use its highly sensitive and dexterous front paws to manipulate objects and open containers, helping it find food in tricky places. - **Night Vision:** Raccoon has excellent night vision because of large eyes and a reflective layer behind the retina, helping it forage in the dark. - **Climbing Prowess:** Raccoon can climb trees head-first to escape predators or find shelter, using strong claws and rotating ankles. - **Problem Solver:** Raccoon has a clever brain that helps it remember solutions to problems for up to three years, making it super adaptable. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 40-70 cm - **Weight:** 3.5-9 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 24 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-7 - **Gestation:** 60-65 days ## Diet & Feeding These clever omnivores eat almost anything, from berries and nuts to insects and small animals! - **Primary Foods:** fruits, nuts, insects, crayfish, frogs, bird eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes are common predators of raccoons, especially younger ones. - **Hunts:** Bullfrog (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Raccoons commonly prey on frogs and other amphibians in aquatic habitats. - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Raccoons frequently raid cornfields, consuming the kernels. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Great Horned Owls can prey on smaller raccoons or juveniles. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Enjoy watching raccoons from a safe distance and never try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Raccoon? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Raccoon? 40-70 cm ### How much does Raccoon weigh? 3.5-9 kg ### How long does Raccoon live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Raccoon move? 24 km/h ### What does Raccoon eat? These clever omnivores eat almost anything, from berries and nuts to insects and small animals! ### Where is Raccoon usually found? Forests, Urban areas ### How does Raccoon hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Black Creek Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-creek-park) — New York, US · Park - [Black Hawk State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-hawk-state-historic-site) — Illinois, US · Park - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Brett Woods Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brett-woods-open-space) — Connecticut, US · Park [View all places to see Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/raccoon) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Raccoon: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon)