Raccoon

Procyon lotor

by Geriann Albers, Colleen Olfenbuttel, Steve Popson, and David Sawyer.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Updated 2017.

Classification

Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora

Average Size

Length: 1 1/2 - 3 1/2 ft.
Height: 12 in. at the shoulder
Weight: 8-25 lbs.; average is 15 lbs. Males weigh 10-15% more than females

Food

Wild berries and fruits, acorns and other nuts, vegetables from gardens, a variety of insects, frogs, fish, shellfish, small mice, occasional birds, and bird eggs.

Breeding

Males may mate with more than one female. Breeding season usually begins in February and continues through April. Gestation is 63 to 65 days.

Young

Called cubs. Litters of 1 to 8 (usually 2 or 3) are born in April to June, in hollow trees or ground burrows. Cubs open their eyes at 19 days, begin following their mother at 8–12 weeks of age, and are dependent on her until they are at least 3½ months old. They leave to establish their own home ranges at 9 months. Raccoons reach full sexual maturity in 2 years; however, females may mate at 10 months.

Life Expectancy

Up to 16 years in the wild, but most die within their first 2 years. Average life span is probably 2 1/2 years.

Range and Distribution

Home ranges vary with respect to age, sex, and habitat. Males generally have large home ranges that are smaller during the winter. Average home range varies from 99 to 247 acres and often follows a stream, river or swamp. Raccoons range across the lower 48 continental states except for parts of the Rocky Mountains. They are found statewide in North Carolina, but are most abundant in the Coastal and Piedmont regions.

General Information

These charismatic mammals are highly intelligent and resourceful. In folk stories, raccoons often outwit humans or other animals. Their great adaptability has allowed them to flourish throughout history and in almost all environments. They are common in cities and other urban areas, and many people have surprised a raccoon on a nocturnal raid of their garbage cans.

Three raccoon species are found in North, Central and South America. Our raccoon (Procyon lotor) is the only one found in North America, but it is also native to Central America and has been introduced in parts of Europe and Asia.

Description

The raccoon is easily recognized by its grayish brown fur coat, its distinctive black-ringed tail, and black “mask” around its eyes. Unlike many other animals with thick padded or hooved feet, raccoons have a well-developed sense of touch that they use during feeding.

History and Status

For many years, the raccoon has been one of North Carolina’s most economically important furbearers. Indeed, it is currently one of the most important animals in the U.S., generating more revenue than most other furbearing species. Raccoons in North Carolina are legally taken by regulated trapping and hunting.

Habitat and Habits

Raccoons are most abundant in habitats associated with water, such as bottomland forests, hardwood swamps and marshes. Raccoons often occur in urban areas, where they can scavenge for food. Females generally prefer hollow trees as dens, but will choose a rocky ledge or empty burrow if needed. Though raccoons appear to wash their food in water, they in fact locate and capture food by dabbling at the water’s edge.

In colder regions, raccoons may enter a deep sleep during winter months, but they are not true hibernators. On mild days, they may wake up and search for food. Raccoons in North Carolina are more active than those in northern states due to the warmer winters

People Interactions

There are multiple sources of mortality in raccoons: hunting, trapping, automobiles, and disease outbreaks, which are often associated with malnutrition and/or dense raccoon populations. Outbreaks of canine distemper and rabies are the most noted diseases.

A rabid raccoon can be characterized by aimless wandering, lethargy, uncoordinated movements, weakness in the hind legs, paralysis and loss of awareness. If you are concerned that a raccoon is sick or may be rabid, do not approach or attempt to capture the animal. Contact local health officials for assistance.

It is becoming more common for raccoons to be seen during the daytime, and daytime activity is not a sign that the animal is diseased. Rather, raccoons are responding to the abundance of food available in these areas during the day, combined with the lack of threats. Interactions between people and raccoons are uncommon unless raccoons become habituated. This means they associate humans with food due to being fed, either intentionally or unintentionally. Habituation can occur from unsecured garbage, pet food left outside, or even bird feeders that raccoons can access. To avoid conflicts with raccoons and other wildlife, people should keep their yards and neighborhoods clean of unnatural food sources such as pet food and unsecured garbage. People that feed feral cats will likely attract raccoons and other wildlife.

NCWRC Spotlight

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologists monitor trends in the raccoon population from several sources, most of which rely on cooperation from hunters and trappers. These sources include hunter harvest, average pelt prices through licensed fur dealer reports, annual surveys to licensed trappers, the deer hunter observation survey, and surveys sent to hunting clubs that participate in raccoon field trial events.