Common Raccoon (or Racoon)
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Procyonidae Genus: Procyon Species: P. The conservation status of a Species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future Least Concern ( LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands The diverse order Carnivora (kɑrˈnɪvərə or sometimes /ˌkɑrnɪˈvɔərə/ from Latin carō (stem carn-) "flesh" + vorāre Procyonidae is a New World family of the order Carnivora. It includes the raccoons Coatis Kinkajous Olingos Procyon is a Genus of Nocturnal Mammals comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae lotor
Binomial name
Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common Raccoon native range in red, feral range in blue. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for The book Systema Naturae was one of the major works of the Swedish doctor of medicine Carolus Linnaeus.
Synonyms
Ursus lotor Linnaeus, 1758

The Raccoon (Procyon lotor), also known as the Northern Raccoon, Common Raccoon, Washing Bear or Coon, is a widespread, medium-sized, omnivorous mammal native to North America. In Scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different Scientific names used for a single Taxon. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Since the beginning of the twentieth century, they have also been widespread on the European mainland and in the Caucasus region, after having escaped from fur farms. The Caucasus ( also referred to as North Caucasus) is a geopolitical region located between Europe Asia & Middle East Fur farming is the practice of breeding or raising certain types of Animals for their Fur. ^[1][2] Raccoons usually live together in small, loose groups. Their original habitats are mixed or deciduous forests, but due to their adaptability, they are often found in urban areas where they can be considered pests. Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests temperate deciduous forest) --> are a Temperate and Humid Biome. Botany Autumn leaf color. See --> In Botany and Horticulture, deciduous Plants, including A forest is an area with a high density of Trees There are many definitions of a forest based on various criteria A pest is an organism which has characteristics that are regarded by Humans as injurious or unwanted

Contents 1 Appearance 2 Behavior 3 Reproduction 4 Range 5 Disease 6 As food 7 As pets 8 References 9 See also 10 External links

Appearance

An adult weight varies with habitat and range and can range from 3–16 kg (6. Isla Vista is an Unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County California, United States. 6–35 lb) and measure 60–90 cm (24–36 in) along the body, minus the 25 cm-10 in tail. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass A centimetre ( American spelling: centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one hundredth Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. The smallest species are those found in Southern Florida, while those near the Northern limits of the raccoon's range tend to be the largest. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The largest recorded raccoon was over 22. 7 kg (50lb), by far the largest size recorded for a family member of the Procyonidae. Procyonidae is a New World family of the order Carnivora. It includes the raccoons Coatis Kinkajous Olingos ^[3] They have black facial colorings around the eyes, and have a bushy tail with light and dark alternating rings. The coat is a mixture of gray, brown, and black fur. On rare occasions, raccoons may be albino. Albinism (from Latin albus, "white" see extended etymology) is a form of hypopigmentary Congenital disorder, Currently there is a search under way to validate sightings of half albino, possibly leucistic raccoons. Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced Pigmentation in animals These sightings have occurred in Indiana, specifically the West Lafayette region. The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union West Lafayette (ˌwɛst ˌlɑːfeɪˈɛt is a city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, 65 miles (105km northwest of Indianapolis. The dark patches around the eyes, perhaps the raccoon's most prominent trait, are reminiscent of a "bandit's mask", which has enhanced its reputation for mischief. A domino mask is a small rounded Mask covering only the eyes and the space between them

Raccoons have 40 teeth, which are adapted to an omnivorous lifestyle. Omnivores (from Latin omne all everything vorare to devour are species that eat both Plants and Animals as their primary The chewing surface is not as wide as for herbivores, but the teeth are not as sharp and pointed as those of a carnivore. Herbivory is a form of Predation in which an Organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally Autotrophs ref name=Campbell>Campbell A carnivore (ˈkɑrnɪvɔər meaning 'meat eater' ( Latin carne meaning 'flesh' and vorare meaning 'to devour' is any animal with a diet consisting

Behavior

Raccoons are omnivorous, consuming a varied diet that includes berries, insects, fruit, chickens, and small mammals. Skunks (sometimes referred to as polecats) are Mammals best known for their ability to excrete a strong foul-smelling odor. Omnivores (from Latin omne all everything vorare to devour are species that eat both Plants and Animals as their primary Raccoons sometimes wash, or douse, their food in water before eating it. It is not known why raccoons perform dousing (a lack of adequate salivary glands to moisten food has been cited as one reason), but cleaning food is unlikely to be the reason. Studies have found that raccoons engage in dousing motions when water is unavailable; researchers note that captive raccoons are more likely than wild raccoons to douse food. It has been suggested that captive raccoons are mimicking fishing and shellfish-foraging behaviors. It may also be that the raccoon is searching for unwanted material, as water is thought to heighten their sense of touch.

Raccoons are often considered pests because they forage in trash receptacles or eat dog food left on back porches; they are able to open garbage cans with their hands. A pest is an organism which has characteristics that are regarded by Humans as injurious or unwanted

Raccoons will not harm cats or dogs. ^[4] However, they will attack and fight if cornered. If a raccoon appears to be aggressive and showing abnormal behavior, such as appearing sick or disoriented,^[5] then there is a good possibility that the raccoon is rabid. Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that ^[6] In this case the proper authorities should be notified.

Introduced into Germany in the 19th century, raccoons seeking food in wine cellars and storage areas have become a threat to the country's wine industry. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice Beginning in April 1934 raccoons, which were being commercially farmed in Germany for their fashionable fur, were experimentally released into the wild^[7] in the Kellerwald range. Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Kellerwald is a low Mountain range reaching heights of up to 675 m in the western part of northern Hesse, Germany. Population growth greatly accelerated in 1945 when disruption of the infrastructure led to numerous raccoons escaping from farms across Germany. Because they appeared to have minimal impact on forest ecology, raccoons were initially a protected species. Ecology (from Greek grc οἶκος oikos, "house(hold" and grc -λογία -logia) is the scientific study of This status has changed in recent years, however, as the species' population density in some regions may have reached 100 raccoons per square kilometer. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of In certain areas, hunters have been offered rewards to kill the animals due to over population. ^[8]

Reproduction

Mating usually occurs in January or February, and a litter of four or five young are born in April or May (varies by climate). Raccoons usually live in hollow trees, ground burrows, or caves. They often travel along streams or rivers in search of food. However, there are raccoons that live in the forest not near any stream. Males have no part in raising the young. By late summer, the litter will be weaned and will begin to fend for themselves. Raccoons do not truly hibernate. They enter a torpid, inactive state, when temperatures fall below about 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Range

Raccoons are common throughout North America from southern Canada to Panama. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Panama, officially the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá) is the southernmost country of Central America. Raccoons are one of the largest animals to have adapted well to human development. Suburban areas, and many large cities, have significant raccoon populations. Raccoons are skilled foragers who can thrive on garbage and pet food. They have been known to take up residence in attics and garages, and even to enter houses through "pet doors" in search of food. When confronted by humans or household animals, raccoons may be aggressive; urban raccoons tend to lose their fear of humans over time.

In 1934, Hermann Goering, then head of the Reich Forestry Office, gave permission for the release of two pairs of raccoons into the German wilderness to enrich the fauna. Hermann Wilhelm Göring (also spelled Goering) (12 January 1893 15 October 1946 was a German Politician, Military leader and a leading member Fauna is all of the Animal life of any particular region or time ^[1] The raccoons have since been extremely successful due to the lack of natural enemies. Others are believed to have escaped from fur farms during Allied bombing in World War II. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including ^[1] The German newsmagazine Der Spiegel reported in 2002 that the raccoon had established itself in a small area of north-central France and in a considerable area of central Germany, where it had become a neighborhood pest to some and a beloved pet to others. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The city of Kassel, Germany, hosts Europe's densest population of raccoons with about 100 individuals per square kilometre (around 260 per square mile)^[9], a figure well comparable to statistics from the raccoon's natural habit in North America. Kassel (until 1926 officially Cassel) is a city situated along the Fulda River in northern Hessen, Germany, one of the two sources of the

While raccoons held in captivity can live up to 20 years, they seldom live longer than 12 years in the wild, with most only living a few years. The species' life expectancy in the wild is only about 1. 3 to 3. 1 years, and only about half of all males survive their first year. Illnesses, accidents, and the death of the mother are the most common causes of death for young raccoons. For adult raccoons, road kill and hunting account for more than 75% of deaths. However the population of raccoons is not at all affected by these deaths because they are over populated in almost every part of the range they inhabit.

Disease

Raccoons can carry Baylisascaris roundworm, canine distemper, parvovirus and rabies. Baylisascaris is a Genus of Roundworms that infest more than fifty animal Species. Canine distemper is a very serious viral Disease affecting animals in the families Canidae, Mustelidae, Mephitidae, Hyaenidae Parvovirus, commonly abbreviated to parvo, is a Genus of the Parvoviridae family linear non-segmented single stranded DNA viruses Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that ^[10] Of the 6,844 documented rabies cases reported in the United States in 2004, 37. 5% were in raccoons (Krebs et al. 2005, pp.  1912-1925). Seeing a raccoon during the day is an indicator, though not absolute, that the animal may be ill. However, healthy animals, especially nursing mothers, may also forage for food in the daytime. Rabies may be entirely without visible symptoms in the raccoon. Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that A symptom' (from Greek σύμπτωμα, "accident misfortune that which befalls" from συμπίπτω, "I befall" from

Raccoon rabies is as dangerous to humans as any other strain, even though there is only one documented case in which it has led to a fatal case of human rabies. ^[11] Any animal with suspected rabies should not be approached. Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that If it requires euthanasia, the local health department should be notified to obtain instructions on means of disposal. Euthanasia (literally "good death" in Ancient Greek) refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner A health department is a part of Government which focuses on issues related to the general Health of the Citizenry. Saliva and other bodily fluids may carry the rabies virus. A virus (from the Latin virus meaning Toxin or Poison) is a sub-microscopic infectious agent that is unable Many communities have animal control officers who can deal with rabid animals. An animal control officer may be an Employee of or a contractor to a Municipality, is charged with the responsibility of responding to calls for service

Rabies is so prevalent in some populations of wild raccoons that several states and the U.S. federal government, as well as authorities in Canada, have developed programs of oral vaccination to try to reduce the spread of this lethal disease. The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. Vaccination is the administration of Antigenic material (the Vaccine) to produce immunity to a disease ^[12][13][14] In Europe, raccoons have not yet been found to play a notable role in the spread of rabies or canine distemper; however, the Baylisascaris roundworm is widely present in certain populations. ^[15]

As food

Raccoons were a source of food for many indigenous peoples, as well as for early American pioneers, and provided a sizeable amount of protein. Raccoon is seldom eaten today. Some hunters consider it desirable and it is still consumed in certain regions of the American South. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive

An older edition of The Joy of Cooking has a recipe for preparing raccoon, along with squirrel, opossum, and other game animals. The Joy of Cooking is one of the United States' most-published Cookbooks having been in print continuously since 1936 and with more than 18 million copies sold A squirrel is one of the many small or medium-sized Rodents in the family Sciuridae. Didelphimorphia is the order of common opossums of the Western Hemisphere. It is suggested that removing the musk glands and the fat before roasting (a favored cooking method) will help tone down the strong game flavor. Game is any Animal hunted for Food or not normally domesticated (such as Venison) Sweet potatoes are complementary with raccoon meat (which is dark) as either a stuffing or side dish.

The limited interest in raccoon consumption is likely attributed to the emotive association people have with the animal being intelligent and adaptable. Its reputation as a scavenger is also a common factor with people (see Taboo food and drink). Scavenging, or necrophagy, is a Carnivorous Feeding behaviour in which a predator consumes Corpses or Carrion that were killed Taboo food and drinks are food and drink which people abstain from consuming for religious or cultural reasons Other likely causes of uninterest are revulsion towards the raccoon's disposition to eating garbage, or its notoriety for incubating diseases (such as rabies). Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that

As pets

Raccoons are sometimes kept as pets. The results of ownership vary, depending on how responsible and knowledgeable the owner is of the raccoon as a species, as well as behavior, diet, etc.

In some states of the United States, it is illegal to keep raccoons as pets (see rabies). The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A pet is an Animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a househeld animal as opposed to Livestock, Laboratory animals Working animals Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that Other states allow the practice, but require exotic pet permits^[16]. An exotic pet is a rare or unusual animal kept as a Pet, or an animal kept as a pet which is not commonly thought of as a pet Young orphan raccoons born in the wild may not always be a good choice for a pet; these animals are cared for and potentially released back into the wild through professional wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of removing from the wild and caring for injured orphaned or sick wild animals Raccoons raised in captivity and released do not typically adapt well to life in the wild.

Tamed raccoons acquired from reputable breeders may make suitable pets. However the raccoon is still a wild animal by nature, so that is to be kept in mind before taming. Training raccoons is an intensive process. During mating season, many captive raccoons retain destructive and/or aggressive natural behaviors, such as constant biting. These problems are usually resolved ahead of time by spaying and neutering at around four months of age. Raccoons from breeders can sometimes come in different color variations, such as silver, albino, blonde, black, cinnamon, cream, and red, to name a few.

Although nocturnal, captive raccoons can be trained to sleep at night and to be active during the day. As an Animal behavior, nocturnality describes sleeping during the Daytime and being active at Night - the opposite of the diurnal Captive raccoons can also develop obesity and other disorders due to unnatural diet and lack of exercise. Obesity is a condition in which excess Body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be negatively affected

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} September 11, 2004. Nazi Raccoons on the March in Europe DW-World. de. Retrieved on September 6, 2007. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
2. ^ Kaarina Kauhala. 1996. Introduced carnivores in Europe with special reference to central and northern Europe. Wildl. Biol. 2: 197-204. Retrieved on September 6, 2007. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
3. ^ nature. ca. Raccoon. Canadian Museum of Nature. Retrieved on September 6, 2007. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
4. ^ Terry Davin. 1997. Re: Do raccoons kill and eat pets? MadSci Network. Washington University Medical School. Retrieved on September 6, 2007. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
5. ^ The Raccoon -- Friend or Foe?
6. ^ Behavior, Movements, and Denigraogucs of Rabid Raccoons in Ontario, Canada: Management Implications. Wildlife Disease Association 2006
7. ^ Raccoons in Germany. Retrieved on September 6, 2007. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
8. ^ Roger Boyes. October 28, 2005. Nazi racoons invade the wineland: Vineyard owners across Germany are hiring bounty hunters to kill furry animals with a taste for grapes. timesonline. co. uk. Retrieved on September 6, 2007. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
9. ^ Results of a survey of racoons in Kassel, Germany
10. ^ Rabies - Natural History
11. ^ First Human Death Associated with Raccoon Rabies - Virginia 2003
12. ^ Cornell-Quebec project aims to turn back raccoon rabies from international border
13. ^ Preventing Spread of Raccoon Rabies West of North Carolina: Oral Rabies Vaccine Program
14. ^ Raccoons and Rabies
15. ^ Information page by Berlin authorities, retrieved Jan 30 2008 (in german)
16. ^ State Regulations Concerning the Possession of Raccoons as Pets

• Krebs, J. W. ; E. J. Mandel & D. L. Swedlow et al. (2005), "Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2004", J Am Vet Med Assoc 227 (12): 1912-1925.
• Davidson, Alan (1999). "Raccoon", Oxford Companion to Food, 648. ISBN 0-19-211579-0.  

See also

• List of fictional raccoons
• Rabies
• The Raccoons
• Over The Hedge a comic strip and movie whose protagonist is a raccoon

External links

• Raccoon Facts and Photos - NatureMapping Program
• Raccoon Tracks information, accounts, and images of raccoons
• Range of raccoon populations, Missouri Botanical Garden
• Feature Creatures: Raccoon University of Alberta Museum of Zoology
• First Aid help for raccoons
• Nazi Raccoons On The March In Europe article about history of raccoon introduction in Germany

This article provides a list of fictional Raccoons. Raccoons in mythology Tanuki in Japanese Mythology. Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that The Raccoons is a Canadian Animated television series, first broadcast from 1985 to 1992 with four preceding Television specials starting from Over the Hedge is a syndicated Comic strip written and drawn by Michael Fry and T

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