Raccoon
Raccoons are one of the best known North American animals, if only because of their appearance in folklore and stories.
Their adaptability has allowed them to with stand drastic changes in their native environment.
Raccoons have a head and body length of 16-24 inches, with a tail of 18-16 inches and they weight up to 26.5 pounds.
Their fur is gray to black with black rings in the tail and a distinctive black “burglar mask” over their eyes.
Their feet have a long toes, while the front paws are almost handlike and exceptionally dexterous.
Raccoons are relatives of pandas, kinkajous and coatis. There are six species the best known of which is the common of North American raccoon, Procyon lotor, which ranges from Canada to Central America.
The crab-eating raccoon, P. cancrivorus, lives in much of South America, from Venezuela south to Argentina.
The other raccoon species are the Tres Marias raccoon (P. insularis), the Cozumel Island raccoon (P. pygmaeus) and the Guadeloupe raccoon (P. minor), all of which are found on islands in the Caribbean.
The Bahama raccoon (P. maynardi) is critically endangered, while a seventh species the Barbados raccoon (P. gloveranni) is now believed to be extinct.
Raccoon
Raccoons are one of the best known North American animals, if only because of their appearance in folklore and stories.
Their adaptability has allowed them to with stand drastic changes in their native environment.
Raccoons have a head and body length of 16-24 inches, with a tail of 18-16 inches and they weight up to 26.5 pounds.
Their fur is gray to black with black rings in the tail and a distinctive black “burglar mask” over their eyes.
Their feet have a long toes, while the front paws are almost handlike and exceptionally dexterous.
Raccoons are relatives of pandas, kinkajous and coatis. There are six species the best known of which is the common of North American raccoon, Procyon lotor, which ranges from Canada to Central America.
The crab-eating raccoon, P. cancrivorus, lives in much of South America, from Venezuela south to Argentina.
The other raccoon species are the Tres Marias raccoon (P. insularis), the Cozumel Island raccoon (P. pygmaeus) and the Guadeloupe raccoon (P. minor), all of which are found on islands in the Caribbean.
The Bahama raccoon (P. maynardi) is critically endangered, while a seventh species the Barbados raccoon (P. gloveranni) is now believed to be extinct.
Raccoon
