With their bandit's mask and ringed tail, raccoons (
Procyon lotor) are one of North America's most charismatic and recognizable species—even if they are not frequently seen due to their nocturnal habits.
Raccoons are one of the few wild species that appears to have benefited from contact with humans, and they have adapted remarkably well to life in our cities and towns. Such synanthropes—wild animals who are willing and able to live among humans—are usually generalists, tolerating widely different habitats and eating many different foods. Studies show that the densities raccoons achieve in urban areas can be up to 20 times that typical in rural environments.
Raccoons are found in almost every major habitat in the continental United States and Central America, and they have recently expanded their range into southern Canada as well. The raccoon may be as long as a small dog—3 feet from nose to end of tail—but weigh much less: Average adult males are 10–15 pounds, while females are slightly smaller at 6–12 pounds. In the northern parts of their range—or where they are overfed by humans—raccoons may be a good deal heavier, even exceeding 60 pounds.
At least as intelligent as cats or dogs, raccoons possess far greater manual dexterity as well as a highly developed sense of touch. In fact, the word "raccoon" is derived from arakun, an Algonquin word meaning "he scratches with his hands." It was once thought that raccoons' familiar "washing" of foods demonstrated hygienic instincts. But in truth, raccoons don't wash everything they eat. They manipulate food, dunking and soaking it when water is available, and so appear to be washing it. However, when water is not convenient, they use many of the same motions in handling food. The behavior probably more accurately reflects a need to tactually experience things than it does to clean them.
The raccoon's diet is highly varied. Mainstays include fruits, vegetables, and acorns; earthworms, fish, and other aquatic animals (such as crayfish) are eaten when available. Raccoons aren't particularly effective hunters, but they'll eat small animals like birds, amphibians and mice when the opportunity arises. Their appetite for foods such as grapes and sweet corn often leads to conflicts with home gardeners.
Raccoons are usually active at night, and by day they retire to dens or resting sites. Dens are made above ground in tree cavities, chimneys and attics, as well as underground in old woodchuck burrows, storm sewers or crawl spaces under buildings. When they feel secure enough, raccoons may simply lie in thickets or swamps on open ground.
Raccoons generally give birth to three to five young from early spring to early summer. Cubs are weaned at about 2 months, but they may remain with their mother through their first winter.
Public Health
The raccoon is one of four wild animals in the United States (including the fox, skunk, and bat) considered to be primary carriers of the rabies virus. Despite the concern and fear surrounding rabies, advances in public education, vaccination of pets, and post-exposure treatment have greatly reduced the risk to humans. Only a single human death has ever been documented as resulting from the raccoon strain of rabies.
However, the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is a serious public health concern. This parasite is transmitted through the ingestion or inhalation of eggs passed in raccoon feces. Children should be prevented from playing in areas where raccoons have defecated. Raccoons are also hosts for the zoonotic (transmittable to humans) disease leptospirosis, but the incidence is so low as to be of concern only to people who routinely come into contact with these animals, such as wildlife rehabilitators or animal control officers.
For more information, download our full-color raccoon fact sheet.
