Where’s Wildlife · Mammal Field Guide
Procyon lotor
Pronounced (approx.): PRO-see-on LOH-tor
A versatile forager recognized by its masked face and striped tail.
Raccoon. Select the image to browse all 8 photographs.
NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA
Dark facial mask
Ringed, bushy tail
Dexterous front paws
Compare views, markings and body shapes in the photographs below.
A raccoon has a broad head, pointed muzzle and rounded ears. The dark mask contrasts with lighter facial fur, while alternating dark and pale rings mark the tail. Its gray-brown coat can vary in shade and thickness with the season.
The front paws have long, mobile toes that help a raccoon explore and handle food. Tracks can look like small handprints. A glimpse of the ringed tail or facial mask is more useful for identification than coat color alone.
Raccoons eat a varied diet that can include fruits, nuts, insects, crayfish, eggs and other animal foods. They search along wetland edges and on land. Their ability to use many food sources also brings them into farms, towns and cities.
Activity is often greatest at night, although daytime sightings also occur. Females shelter their young in dens such as tree cavities or other protected spaces. The young remain with their mother while learning to forage.
The front paws are important tools for exploring food.
Raccoons are omnivores rather than specialist hunters.
Young animals learn while traveling with their mother.
Raccoons occur widely in North and Central America, and introduced populations occur elsewhere. Wooded areas near water are familiar habitat, but the species also adapts to many human-altered environments.
Explore reported sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map.
Explore a related illustrated nature poster from the Where’s Wildlife store.
