Raccoon

Order: Carnivora

Family: Procyonidae

Genus: Procyon

Species: P. lotor

Identifying Characteristics:

- Head to hindquarters, raccoons measure between 40 and 70 cm (16 and 28 in), not including the bushy tail which can measure between 20 and 40 cm (8 and 16 in), but is usually not much longer than 25 cm (10 in)

-The body weight of an adult raccoon varies considerably with habitat; it can range from 2 to 14 kilograms (4 to 30 lb), but is usually between 3.5 and 9 kilograms (8 and 20 lb).

- Males are usually 15 to 20% heavier than females. At the beginning of winter, a raccoon can weigh twice as much as in spring because of fat storage

- The most characteristic physical feature of the raccoon is the area of black fur around the eyes which contrasts sharply with the surrounding white face coloring. This is reminiscent of a "bandit's mask" and has thus enhanced the animal's reputation for mischief.

- The slightly rounded ears are also bordered by white fur

- Tail has dark rings

Special Adaptations:

- The most important sense for the raccoon is its sense of touch. The "hyper sensitive" front paws are protected by a thin horny layer which becomes pliable when wet

- raccoons are thought to be color-blind or at least poorly able to distinguish color, though their eyes are well-adapted for sensing green light

- Though usually nocturnal, the raccoon is sometimes active in daylight to take advantage of available food sources

-While its diet in spring and early summer consists mostly of insects, worms, and other animals already available early in the year, it prefers fruits and nuts, such as acorns and walnuts, which emerge in late summer and autumn and represent a rich calorie source for building up fat needed for winter. Contrary to popular belief, raccoons eat active or large prey such as birds and mammals only occasionally, since they prefer prey which is easier to catch, specifically fish and amphibians

-thrived in sparsely wooded areas in the last decades, raccoons depend on vertical structures to climb when they feel threatened