Are you new to knowing about raccoons? Most people have heard of the masked robber which is known as the raccoon.
Raccoons are nocturnal mammals belonging to the genus Procyon. They are distinguished by their bushy, ringed tails. Their scientific name is Procyon lotor. With their unique face patterns, skillful front paws, and masked look, raccoons stand out as easily recognizable creatures in the wild.
Now excited to meet raccoons through an article? Then read along to fulfill your interest!
Forms and General Characteristics of Raccoons
Well, firstly you have to learn about raccoons’ traits and behaviors. This table contains everything from their size and appearance to their habits and adaptations. Take a look.
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Procyon lotor |
| Size and Weight | # Between 33 and 45 inches (84 to 104.5 cm) long; # Weighs between 7 and 20 pounds (3 to 9 kg) |
| Type | Mammals |
| Body Shape | Stocky with short legs and small, rounded ears |
| Fur Color | # Gray with dark black markings around the eyes; # Black bands on the tail |
| Front Paws | Highly dexterous with five fingers |
| Ears | Small and rounded |
| Teeth | Sharp for omnivorous diet |
| Eyes | Dark-colored and well-adapted for night vision |
| Tail | # Bushy and ringed; # Used for balancing and communicating |
| Top speed | Capable of running up to 15 mph (24 km/h) |
| Jump | Up to 3 feet (.9 meters) |
| Age of Sexual Maturity | Typically reach sexual maturity from 9 months to 1 year of age |
| Age of Weaning | Weaning from mother’s milk around 8 to 16 weeks old |
| Behavior | Display a curious and inquisitive nature; solitary, but may form loose associations |
| Habitat | # Highly adaptable; # Found in forests, urban areas, and wetlands; Native to North America; # Introduced to other regions worldwide |
| Diet | # Opportunistic omnivores; # Feeding on fruits, nuts, insects, and small mammals |
| Nocturnal Habits | Primarily active during the night |
| Reproduction | Breed once a year, with gestation lasting around 63 days |
| Lifespan | # 2 to 3 years in the wild; # Longer in captivity |
| Vocalizations | Communicate through chirps, growls, and chatters |
| Disease Carries | Potential carriers of diseases such as rabies, roundworms, etc. |
| IUCN Red List | Least Concern (LC) |
Well, this table provides key details about raccoons. Now, understanding their ecological role is easier for you with this information.
Where Do Raccoons Live?
Mainly, raccoons can live near human-developed settings if enough food, water, and cover are available. In fact, they can survive almost in any place. But they like wooded or bushy environments near streams, lakes, or swamps.
However, their distribution exists from north Canada to even south Panama in the natural range. These ranges were restricted to places with quick access to freshwater and aquatic prey before urbanization. But these days, you can find them almost wherever on the continent.
In addition, these mammals have been brought into France, Germany, Italy, and a few other European nations as invasive species. The majority of the intruders from Europe are descended from fur farm animals.
A growing population in Japan is also descended from animals who were brought in as pets due to the success of the animated series, named “Rascal the Raccoon”.
If you want to know more regarding this section, you must explore Habitat of Raccoons from my blog.
What Food Do Raccoons Like to Eat?
Now you must be curious about the food varieties of these impressive creatures, right?
Well, among the world’s most opportunistic omnivores are raccoons. Almost anything they can get their paws onto will be consumed by them. And of course, mollusks, crabs, insects, and various other invertebrates make up almost half of their food.
In fact, they would much rather dine on crabs as well as other easily captured food than on mammals or birds.
They frequently rummage through trash in urban settings in search of edibles. If you have more curiosity regarding their foods, you should read “Foods of Raccoons” in my blog.
Behavior of Raccoons
Although these animals are mostly nocturnal, they frequently graze during the day, especially when they are caring for kits. Even if this behavior is frequently misinterpreted as an indication of a rabid animal, it is far more prevalent than many people think.
Mothers will occasionally stick with kids along with related females because they are outgoing animals. Males can be violent toward unrelated kits, although they will also create loose social relationships with one another. Together, groups will interact, forage, and sleep.
If you want to know more regarding this section, you must explore Behavior of Raccoons from my blog.
How Do Raccoons Reproduce?
Raccoon males usually extend their home ranges in the breeding period. It is most likely in order to encompass the ranges of homes of more females who may be potential mates.
During the mating season, it is occasionally observed that females are briefly denning with males. However, males and females do not associate after mating. Their mating system is “Polygynandrous” (promiscuous).
Raccoons have one litter a year. Litter sizes are usually four, although they can range up to seven. From the time the woman finds out she is pregnant until the babies are born, it takes 63 to 65 days.
Females often reach sexual maturity before turning a year old, and males typically do so around the age of two. February to June is mating season, with the majority of mating occurring in March.
Compared to populations in the South, Northern populations usually breed earlier. The young begin to wean after 70 days after being born blind and defenseless in a tree cave. Their eyes open between 18 and 24 days after birth.
Only females tend to protect and breastfeed their young. During their first winter, the young stay with or close to their mother.
What are the Natural Predators that Eat Raccoons?
Now I will talk about the predators which are raccoons’ enemies. These predators kill them as well as eat them. In the wild, a variety of creatures, including huge predatory birds, snakes, and carnivorous mammals, consume raccoons.
The raccoons’ most frequent predators are:
Hawks
Larger hawks will occasionally even attempt to consume larger raccoons, smaller hawks often prey on weaker or immature animals.
Although hawks mostly hunt small mammals, they will not turn down the chance to consume some raccoon flesh.
Bobcats
Although they don’t usually kill and consume raccoons, big bobcats will occasionally go for them. When possible, bobcats will be hunting and consuming raccoons.
Apart from them, there are other predators that attack raccoons and consume them occasionally whenever the opportunity arises. For example –
- Alligators
- Owls
- Foxes
- Snakes
- Bears
- Coyotes
- Wolves
- Lynx
- Cougars
- Ocelots
Diseases That Raccoons Carry
Do you know raccoons also carry diseases that are painful to them as well as harmful to humans? Let’s check them out.
Raccoon Rabies
Well, raccoons are the main hosts of the rabies virus across the northeastern United States. Moreover, raccoon rabies was first reported in Connecticut in 1991.
Rabies has also been spread to other mammals, such as livestock, skunks, dogs, cats, foxes, and woodchucks.
The following are the symptoms of rabies.
- Unprovoked aggression
- Poor movement
- Paralysis or loss of disorientation, coordination
- Unusual friendly behavior.
These may point to an infection with distemper, rabies, or other different disorders.
However, a raccoon carrying rabies need not exhibit all of the symptoms during the day; additional signs must be shown.
Canine Distemper
While rabies causes comparable neurological symptoms, other infections, such as canine distemper, can also cause similar symptoms. It is not, however, contagious to people, and the majority of domestic dogs have received vaccinations against it.
Roundworm
Generally, roundworm is primarily carried by raccoons and is excreted in their droppings. Although the roundworm rarely poses a threat to raccoons, it can be a risk for various mammals, including people.
Precaution
When a human comes into contact with something contaminated with raccoon excrement, they run the risk of contracting an infection.
Avoid coming into contact with any stray or wild raccoon, especially when it acts strangely. Notify the DEEP, animal control, or local police about sick or unusually acting raccoons.
Can You Keep Raccoons as Pets?
Not really. Raccoon as a pet is prohibited in several states. Because raccoons can pose a health risk and carry a number of diseases, as I discussed. So, states frequently forbid adopting or owning them.
Besides, raccoons are seen as an issue for the public and a threat to homes as well as landowners in some jurisdictions such as Arizona.
In that regard, raccoon hunting is legal in much of the country—sometimes even with little restrictions, as in Idaho.
Nonetheless, several states allow people to keep raccoons as pets. In Michigan, for example, keeping raccoons as pets is permitted but the owner should satisfy two requirements.
- First, the ownership of the raccoon must be accepted by a veterinarian.
- Second, the owner must have permission to have a wild animal.
Well, I have added a table regarding the legal status by state to help you to be more clear –
| State | Legal Status for Pet Raccoon |
|---|---|
| Alaska | No |
| Alabama | No |
| Colorado | No |
| California | No |
| Connecticut | No |
| District of Columbia | No |
| Delaware | Yes |
| Hawaii | No |
| Georgia | No |
| Florida | Yes |
| Illinois | No |
| Kansas | No |
| Lowa | No |
| Kentucky | No |
| Maine | No |
| Louisiana | No |
| Michigan | Yes |
| New York | No |
| Ohio | No |
| Pennsylvania | No |
| Texas | Yes |
| Virginia | No |
| Washington | No |
| Tennessee | No |
| West Virginia | Yes |
So, by this table, you can know about in which states you can have raccoons as pets and in which you cannot.
Conservation and IUCN Status of Raccoons
The raccoon’s status of conservation is listed as “least concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
In certain places, the population is both growing and stable. The raccoon has adjusted to living near humans and can be found in certain protected locations. Although raccoons have predators that exist in hunting, car accidents account for the majority of raccoon deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have more questions about the raccoons? Then let’s explore the FAQs!
1. What is Their Lifespan?
In the wild, raccoons can live as long as 16 years, although the majority don’t survive until their second year. Moreover, in the wild, raccoons can live up to five years on average if they live their early years.
2. Do You Think Raccoon is a Cat?
No. They are not cats, but they have a remote kinship with dogs and cats. Raccoons belong to the Procyonidae genus, yet many people mistake them for rodents.
3. What are the Raccoons Known For?
Mainly pet foods that are left outside, poultry coops, agricultural coops, and trash are among the things that raccoons are known to plunder.
4. Are Raccoons Hostile Animals?
Raccoons can give off the impression of being bold or hostile at times. But in general, they are wary of humans and won’t assault them.
Conclusion
In the end, learning about raccoons gives you a cool peek into their world. With their unique looks and sneaky behaviors, raccoons always grab our attention.
Moreover, they have a diversity of food habits and habitats as well as distribution. Also, I have mentioned the diseases they carry including rabies, roundworm, etc.
Now you must be scared about their diseases, but don’t worry! With the information I have added to this article, you can hang out with raccoons safely. Finally, there is one saying, if you see a raccoon next time, remember that they’re more than just cute faces!
Reference
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/raccoon/
- https://study.com/academy/lesson/raccoon-overview-habitat-species.html
- https://animals.net/raccoon/
- https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/pet-raccoon-legal-states/