Raccoon

Description:

Commonly recognized by their masked faces and ringed tails, raccoons are often referred to as 'masked bandits'. . These omnivorous mammals are highly intelligent and adaptable to almost any environment. Their name is derived from an Indian word "aroughcun" or "arakum," meaning "he scratches with his hands." Their sense of touch is extremely well developed, especially in the soles of their flat, hairless black feet. They are constantly feeling around with their paws. Raccoons are born with their eyes closed and are covered with hair, although the mask and tail rings are represented only by sparsely haired skin. The mask and tail rings become fully haired in two weeks. When about two months old, the young begin accompanying the mother as she hunts for food. Young raccoons often remain with their mother throughout the year. Young males disperse from the area of their birth den at about one year old and may move several miles before establishing an area of their own. The size of this area (home range) in raccoons may vary according to differences in sex, age, population levels habitat quality and season. Individual raccoons will occupy home range from less than one up to 5 square miles. Adult males usually occupy the largest areas and there is usually much overlap in the home ranges of adult males and females. There is much variation in raccoons' daily activity patterns both by individuals and by season. Raccoons arc typically active from about sunset to sunrise. Although raccoons are not considered to hibernate, families do congregate in winter dens to sleep through severe winter periods. They prepare for this period of winter sleep by storing fat on their bodies during the late summer and fall. Raccoons have a variety of calls. Their calls include hissing, barks and snorts which are uttered to express fear or as threat. In addition to these calls, raccoons may growl snarl and squeal. Although some raccoons have lived up to 16 years in the wild, research indicates that the average life span is about three to four years. The principal causes of mortality in raccoons are man, predators, malnutrition and subsequently diseases such as canine distemper and rabies. The list of reported raccoon predators includes bobcats, coyotes, foxes and great horned owls.

Habitat:

They live in a variety of habitats, including marshes, forests, prairies, cities, and suburbs. Raccoons usually den in hollow trees, rock crevices, and ground dens. Both ground dens and cavity trees are used for shelter and escape, but den trees are preferred for raising young.