Overview of the Raccoon

Raccoon, sometimes spelled as racoon, is the largest of the procyonid family. It has a body length of over 2 feet, and a weight of up to 20 pounds. The heaviest recorded raccoon weighed over 62 pounds.

The raccoon is usually nocturnal and omnivorous, eating invertebrates, plants, and vertebrates. Raccoons usually eat insects, worms although it prefers fruits and nuts, such as acorns and walnuts. Raccoons eat active or large prey such as birds and mammals only occasionally, since they prefer prey that is easier to catch, like fish and amphibians. The contents of bird nests are frequently consumed. Raccoons are known for their intelligence, with some studies showing that raccoons are able to remember the solution to tasks up to three years later.

The average life expectancy in the wild for a raccoon is only 3 years, although captive raccoons have lived over 20 years.

The raccoon has a distinctive mask, similar to a bandit’s mask, which has enhanced the animal’s reputation for mischief. Native American folk tales often portrayed raccoons as tricksters, who outsmart other animals, like coyotes and wolves

Raccoons generally sleep in tree hollows, or burrows dug by other mammals, or dense undergrowth. A study showed that 60% of all sleeping places used by raccoons were used only once.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net