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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
raccoon |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Mammalia |
| ORDER: |
Carnivora |
| FAMILY: |
Procyonidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Procyon;
2 subgenera, 7 species |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
Coloration
is slate gray to very dark gray, some with reddish
or brownish cast. Five to ten black rings encircling
the bushy tail. Black mask across face. Triangular
shaped head, broad in the back tapering to a pointed
muzzle. Clawed toes are separated, no webbing. |
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| SIZE: |
Head/body
lenth = 415-600 mm |
| Shoulder
height = 228-304 mm |
| Tail
length = 200-405 mm |
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| WEIGHT: |
Varies
by location: Florida Keys = 2.4 kg (5.2 lb.); Alabama
= males 4.31 kg (9.5 lb.), females 3.67 kg (8 lb.);
Missouri = males 6.76 kg (15 lb.), females 5.94
kg (13.1 lb.); Wisconsin = 6-11 kg (13.2-24.25 lb.) |
| MALE |
Males generally weigh more than females |
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| DIET: |
Highly
diverse, omnivorous diet; includes crayfish, crabs,
frogs, fish, nuts, seeds, acorns, and berries |
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| GESTATION: |
Ranges
between 60-73 days; 60 days average; litter size
is 1-7 young; typically give birth from April to
June |
| ESTRAL
PERIOD |
80-140
days |
| NURSING
DURATION |
Weaning
occurs at 7 weeks to 4 months. Young may remain
with mother until winter months. |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Approximately
1 year |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
Lifespan
in the wild 5 years; averages 13-16 years in a zoological
setting |
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| RANGE: |
North
America and Central America from Canada to Panama.
Subspecies found on islands of Bahamas, Lesser Antilles
and off Yucatan and western Mexico |
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| HABITAT: |
Usually
found in forested areas with underbrush and near
water |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Varies
by species; P. lotor abundant in its native
and introduced ranges |
| REGIONAL |
Varies by species |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
P.
insularis, P. maynardi, P. minor,
and P. pygmaeus listed as Endangered; P.
gloveralleni listed as Extinct |
| CITES |
Not listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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| 1. |
Nocturnal.
Excellent climbers and can swim. |
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| 2. |
Dens are often hollows in trees, rock crevices,
burrows of other animals, or in buildings. Occupied
for only 1-2 days unless during rearing of young
or during periods of harsh weather. |
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| 3. |
Do not hibernate. Active throughout year in southern
range. Will shelter in dens during winters in northern
range but will emerge during periods of warmer weather.
Will live off of fat reserves losing as much as
50% of body weight. |
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| 4. |
Highly
developed sense of touch in nose and forepaws. Hands
are very dexterious and used in similar fashion
as monkeys, picking up food and other items. The
legend that raccoons wash their food before eating
has been dispelled. |
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| 5. |
Carry
human pathogens such as leptospirosis, tularemia
and rabies. |
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| P.
lotor is considered to be one of, if not the
most, commercially valuable wild fur-bearing species
in the United States at this time. Because of this
value, this species was introduced to other countries
such as France, the Netherlands, Germany, and parts
of what was once the Soviet Union. These populations
have grown considerably and in some cases are now
considered to be a nuisance. |
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|
| Nowak,
R. M. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth
edition. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press,
1999. |
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http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html |
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