Species Guide: Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Family: Procyonidae
The Common Raccoon is a medium-sized mammal belonging to the family Procyonidae within the order Carnivora. It is the most widespread raccoon species and is native primarily to North America, though it has expanded into parts of Central and South America and has been introduced to regions in Europe and Asia.
Raccoons are recognized for their intelligence, dexterous front paws, and adaptability to diverse ecosystems ranging from forests and wetlands to urban neighborhoods and cities. Their nocturnal lifestyle and omnivorous feeding habits contribute to their ecological flexibility and success across multiple environments.
Appearance
Adult raccoons have a grayish-brown to blackish coat, a distinctive black facial mask, and a bushy tail marked with dark rings. They possess short legs, small erect ears, and a pointed muzzle. Body length commonly ranges from approximately 75 to 90 cm, including the tail.
Sexual dimorphism is subtle. Males are typically larger and heavier than females, with large males occasionally exceeding 20 kg. Northern populations often grow larger and heavier than southern populations due to environmental conditions.
Juveniles, commonly called kits, resemble adults but have softer fur and smaller body proportions. They remain with the mother for several months after birth while developing foraging skills and independence.
Diet
Raccoons are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders that consume both plant and animal matter. Their diet includes fruits, nuts, grains, insects, amphibians, fish, rodents, birds, eggs, crayfish, and carrion. They frequently exploit human food sources, such as garbage or crops, when living near people. Availability of resources strongly influences dietary composition, making raccoons highly adaptable foragers.
Habitat
Raccoons occupy a wide range of habitats, including deciduous forests, wetlands, grasslands, farmlands, coastal marshes, and urban environments. They are commonly found near water sources such as streams and lakes, and frequently den in hollow trees, abandoned burrows, buildings, or man-made structures.
Their adaptability allows them to thrive in suburban and metropolitan landscapes where food and shelter are readily available, contributing to high population densities in certain urban regions.
Behavior
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal and solitary, except for females raising young. They are agile climbers and swimmers and possess highly sensitive forepaws that allow them to manipulate objects and search for food efficiently.
Communication includes visual cues, scent marking, and vocalizations such as chattering, growls, purrs, and high-pitched calls used by juveniles to communicate with their mother. Their acute hearing and night vision support nocturnal activity.
Mating typically occurs in late winter or early spring. Gestation lasts around 60 to 73 days, and litters generally consist of three to eight young born in spring. Young leave the den after a few months and gradually disperse by autumn or the following spring. Raccoons may live several years in the wild, with average lifespans around five to six years.
During cold periods, raccoons enter extended rest states rather than true hibernation, relying on stored body fat to survive winter food shortages.
Biometrics
| Length | 70-90 cm |
| Body Weight | 10 kg |
| Longevity | 5 Years |
Natural Predators
Predators of raccoons include coyotes, wolves, bobcats, red foxes, fishers, large hawks, owls, and occasionally snakes targeting juveniles. Human activities such as hunting and vehicle collisions also represent significant mortality factors.
Their nocturnal habits and use of dens help reduce predation risk, while defensive aggression and climbing ability provide additional protection.
Relationship to Humans
Raccoons have a complex relationship with humans. In rural and urban areas, they often forage in crops, gardens, and garbage, which can lead to conflict. Conversely, their intelligence and dexterity make them a popular subject of wildlife observation and ecological research.
In North American Indigenous folklore, raccoons frequently appear as trickster figures known for curiosity and cleverness. European and modern urban stories often portray raccoons as mischievous scavengers or crafty survivors, reflecting their behavioral adaptability and opportunistic feeding habits. Cultural narratives commonly emphasize their masked appearance and human-like hand use, reinforcing symbolic themes of cunning and resourcefulness.
Conservation Status
The North American raccoon is currently classified as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Populations remain widespread and generally stable due to the species’ adaptability and reproductive capacity.
Raccoons are not considered endangered. In many regions, their numbers have increased, particularly in urban and suburban environments where food resources are abundant. However, local population fluctuations may occur due to habitat changes, disease, or human-related mortality factors.
Global
Conservation Status
Ad Space
References
- Lazure, L. and Weladji, R.B. (2024) “Exposure to humans and task difficulty levels affect wild raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) learning,” Behavioral ecology, 35(4), p. arae046. [Accessed 12/02/2026]
- Stope, M.B. (2023) “The Raccoon (Procyon lotor) as a Neozoon in Europe,” Animals (Basel), 13(2), p. 273. [Accessed 12/02/2026]
- Castello, J.R. and Sillero-Zubiri, C. (2018) Canids of the world: wolves, wild dogs, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and their relatives. 1st ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press. [Accessed 12/02/2026]
- Lopez, A.D. (2002) When raccoons fall through your ceiling: the handbook for coexisting with wildlife. 1st ed. Denton, Tex: University of North Texas Press. [Accessed 12/02/2026]
CITATIONS
- By Original: RokeDerivative work: Novil Ariandis – This file was derived from: BlankMap-World-USA-Can-UK-Aus-Mex.PNG:, CC BY-SA 3.0 [Accessed 12/02/2026] ↩︎
