Overview of the Raccoon
Raccoon, sometimes spelled as racoon, is the largest
of the procyonid family. It has a body length of over
2 feet, and a weight of up to 20 pounds. The heaviest
recorded raccoon weighed over 62 pounds.
The raccoon is usually nocturnal and omnivorous, eating
invertebrates, plants, and vertebrates. Raccoons usually
eat insects, worms although it prefers fruits and nuts,
such as acorns and walnuts. Raccoons eat active or large
prey such as birds and mammals only occasionally, since
they prefer prey that is easier to catch, like fish
and amphibians. The contents of bird nests are frequently
consumed. Raccoons are known for their intelligence,
with some studies showing that raccoons are able to
remember the solution to tasks up to three years later.
The average life expectancy in the wild for a raccoon
is only 3 years, although captive raccoons have lived
over 20 years.
The raccoon has a distinctive mask, similar to a bandit’s
mask, which has enhanced the animal’s reputation for
mischief. Native American folk tales often portrayed
raccoons as tricksters, who outsmart other animals,
like coyotes and wolves
Raccoons generally sleep in tree hollows, or burrows
dug by other mammals, or dense undergrowth. A study
showed that 60% of all sleeping places used by raccoons
were used only once.
About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com
an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also
guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net
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