The raccoon is a medium sized bear-like mammal that was originally only found in North America. Due to the deliberate introduction of the raccoon into other countries, the common raccoon can also be found now in Europe and Japan.
The average raccoon is around 70 cm from the raccoons nose to the tip of the raccoons tail. A fully grown raccoon can weigh up to 10kg and can live for up to 20 years in captivity. Raccoons in the wild however, tend to have a much lower life expectancy.
The raccoon originally inhabited densely wooded areas and large forests but today the raccoon has adapted to living in mountainous and wetter habitats. The raccoon has also moved closer to human communities as the raccoons are able to find food very easily but many homeowners consider them to be pests.
Raccoons are grey, omnivorous animals surviving on a diet consisting of insects, plants and small animals such as fish and the occasional bird. Raccoons tend to be nocturnal but it is not uncommon to spot a raccoon during the day.
The most distinctive feature of the raccoon is the black mask found around the eyes of the raccoon. The raccoon has a thick layer of fur which keeps it warm during the cold winters and raccoons also have extremely sensitive and and dexterous front paws with raccoons having been observed turning door knobs and opening jars.
I've always wanted to cuddle a racoon! They are so fascinating - back in the US, they were pretty fearless coming out in the dusk even before you finish your dinner on the patio and start sniffing around. One once came up to our screen door and was peeking inside to see what smells so good from the kitchen. They have amazing abilities to climb and get stuff they need - lovely animal, although scary when they get angry.
Wow, I never heard of cuddling with a raccoon, but he sure is cute! My son had a amazing run in with a whole family of them, eating all his snacks and drinking his Mountain Dew! They are rascals!
Growing up in Wisconsin, we would sometimes find bits of food at the bottom of our above ground pool....the raccoons would wash their food in the water and accidentally drop stuff. Took us awhile to figure that out!
This was a surprise to see -- I thought they were potentially dangerous. Is this a petting zoo or something similar? It's a lovely image -- very sweet to see human and wild animal like this.
Oh boy, they can shred a small dog or cat! They're usually nocturnal, we once saw a family of four in broad daylight on our back fence. I haven't seen any in a few years, not sure why, perhaps coyotes......
