| The "masked bandit." Raccoons are medium-sized (26"-38" long),
stocky animals with a prominent, black mask over the eyes and a heavily-furred,
ringed tail. Upperparts are grizzled brown and black, sides are grayer,
and the underparts are dull brownish. Face is whitish with the black
mask. Raccoons occur across North America, except in parts of the
Rockies and extreme northern areas. They prefer hardwood forests,
and they are often found in small woodlots, especially those near a pond,
marsh, or stream. They usually den in a hollow tree, cave, or abandoned
burrow; each raccoon typically has several different dens. Raccoons
are nocturnal, and are omnivorous, feeding on wild fruits grasses, corn,
and nuts as well as crayfish, clams, fish, insects, reptiles, amphibians,
small birsd or bird eggs, and the young of small mammals like rabbits,
mice, and squirrels. They also raid garbage cans and beg for food
near campgrounds. Their front feet are very sensetive, and useful
for grabbing presy through water. They "wash" their food sometimes,
but it is unclear whether they are softening the food or using the water
to increas the sensitivity of their front legs for feeding. They
are preyed upon by many large mammals as well as great horned owls, and
their fur is often used by humans. |
