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[[Image:Raccoon9sm.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]

[[Image:Raccoon9sm.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]

'''Raccoons''' (''Procyon lotor'') are medium-sized [[mammal]]s with black masks and ringed tails. Their fur is gray, brown, or reddish black.  The mixture of light and dark colors on their fur helps to camouflage, or blend into the forest or urban environment.  Adult raccoons weigh 15-20 pounds. A raccoon's tracks look like tiny human hand and footprints, but raccoons can't oppose their thumbs like people can.  Raccoons can, however, open garbage cans, jars, and latches.  The raccoon's scientific name, ''“lotor,”'' means “washer” because it seems to wash its food.  However, the raccoon does not always dip its food in water.  It may also eat the food even if it is still dirty.  Scientists used to think that the raccoon didn't have enough saliva to swallow its food.  They thought the raccoon needed to wet its food to be able to swallow it.  But now, we know that raccoons do have enough saliva.  The new reason scientists think raccoons wash their food is to press it and squash it to make sure there are no sharp bones or dangerous bits in the food.  The name, “raccoon,” may have come from the Algonquin Indian word “arukun,” which means “he who scratches with his hands.”

'''Raccoons''' (''Procyon lotor'') are medium-sized [[mammal]]s with black masks and ringed tails. Their fur is gray, brown, or reddish black.  The mixture of light and dark colors on their fur helps to camouflage, or blend into the forest or urban environment.  Adult raccoons weigh 15-20 pounds. A raccoon's tracks look like a [[toddlers]] hands and footprints, but raccoons cannot oppose their thumbs like people can.  Raccoons can, however, open garbage cans, jars, and latches.  The raccoon's scientific name, ''“Procyon lotor,”'' means “washer” because it seems to wash its food.  However, the raccoon does not always dip its food in water.  It may also eat the food even if it is still dirty.  Scientists used to think that the raccoon didn't have enough saliva to swallow its food.  They assumed the raccoon needed to wet its food to be able to swallow it.  But now we know that raccoons ''do'' have enough saliva.  The new reason scientists think raccoons wash their food is to press it and squash it to make sure there are no sharp bones or dangerous bits in the food.  The name “raccoon” may have come from the Algonquin Indian word “arukun,” which means “he who scratches with his hands.”

==Habitat==   

==Habitat==   

The raccoon lives in almost all areas of the [[United States]] and in southern [[Canada]] and northern [[Mexico]].  Although it prefers to live in woods near a stream or marsh, the raccoon is a very adaptable animal.  Instead of using a tree to sleep in, it can use a chimney or a ditch.  Because many of the raccoon's natural habitat areas are being destroyed, it moves in closer to man, using the same habitat, and even eating the same foods as people.  

The raccoon lives in almost all areas of the [[United States]], southern [[Canada]] and northern [[Mexico]].  Although it prefers to live in woods near a stream or marsh, the raccoon is a very adaptable animal.  Instead of using a tree to sleep in, it can use a chimney or a ditch.  Because many of the raccoon's natural habitat areas are being destroyed, it moves in closer to man, using the same habitat, and even eating the same foods as them.  

==Food==

==Food==

In the wild, a raccoon is an [[omnivore]], eating plants and animals.  Its menu includes plants like berries, [[acorn]]s, and grapes.  It also eats animals including baby [[mice]], baby [[bird]]s & [[egg]]s, [[frog]]s, [[crayfish]], fiddler crabs, [[fish]], and even some [[snake]]s.  Around people, the raccoon loves to eat the [[corn]] in our gardens, garbage, and even animals that have been killed by cars ([[roadkill]]).  Basically, the raccoon can live almost anywhere and eat almost anything.  It can walk, run, climb, and swim.  It usually walks on all fours, but can stand up straight to see over tall stumps or grasses.  Raccoons live seven to ten years.

In the wild, a raccoon is an [[omnivore]], eating plants and animals.  Its menu includes plants like berries, [[acorns]], and grapes.  It also eats animals including baby [[mice]], baby [[bird]]s & [[egg]]s, [[frog]]s, [[crayfish]], [[fiddler crabs]], [[fish]], and even some [[snakes]].  Around people, the raccoon loves to eat [[corn]] in garbage, gardens, and even animals that have been killed by cars ([[roadkill]]).  Essentially, the raccoon can live almost anywhere and eat nearly everything.  It can walk, run, climb, and swim.  It usually walks on all fours, but can stand up straight to see over tall stumps or grasses.  Raccoons live about five years and the wild and up to 20 in captivity. <ref>https://www.orkincanada.ca/blog/raccoon-lifespan/</ref><ref>https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/raccoon-nation-raccoon-fact-sheet/7553/</ref>

==Lifestyle==

==Lifestyle==

==Rabies==

==Rabies==

Raccoons can catch [[disease]]s like rabies and distemper which make them act very strangely.  A healthy raccoon will hardly ever walk right up to a person (unless someone has been feeding it).  If a raccoon does this, it may be sick, and a grown-up should be told.  Often, the raccoons that get hit by cars are the sick ones (or maybe they were trying to eat other roadkills).  People can catch rabies if they are bitten.  If you get bitten, you must get shots to stop you from getting the disease.  Shots may not feel good, but they're definitely better than getting the disease and dying.  The best thing to do is ''NEVER'' touch, feed, or go near a wild animal.  You look very tall and dangerous to a wild animal.  It may bite you because it is scared.  If you stay away from the animal, it won't be able to bite you!

Raccoons can catch [[disease]]s like rabies and distemper which make them act very strangely.  A healthy raccoon will hardly ever walk right up to a person (unless someone has been feeding it).  If a raccoon does this, it may be sick, and a grown-up should be told.  Often, the raccoons that get hit by cars are sick (or perhaps trying to eat other roadkill).  Humans can catch rabies if they are bitten.  If someone is bitten, they must get shots to prevent getting the disease.  Shots obviously do not feel pleasant, but they are a viable alternative compared to getting the disease and dying.  The best thing to do is at no time touch, feed, or go near a wild animal.  A full grown [[adult]] looks very tall and dangerous to a wild animal.  The raccoon may bite you because it is afraid.  If you stay away from the animal, it won't be able to bite you.

==Raccoons In Popular Culture==

==Raccoons In Popular Culture==

The raccoon is very common and well loved in popular culture due to its cleverness and humorous antics. Among the appearances are

The raccoon is very common and well loved in popular culture due to its cleverness and humorous antics. Among the appearances are

The Raccoons: A Canadian animated series sometimes seen in the US

The Raccoons: A Canadian animated series sometimes seen in the US.

RJ Raccoon: The lovable protagonist from the comic strip and CGI animated film Over The Hedge. RJ was voiced by Bruce Willis.

RJ Raccoon: The lovable protagonist from the comic strip and CGI animated film Over The Hedge. RJ was voiced by Bruce Willis.

Ranger Rick: A forest ranger character owned by the National Wildlife Federation, appearing in his own children's magazines [http://www.nwf.org/kidzone/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3]. His goal was teaching children conservation and nature studies.

Ranger Rick: A forest ranger character owned by the National Wildlife Federation, appearing in his own children's magazines <ref>https://rangerrick.org/</ref>. His goal was to teach children conservation and nature studies.

The Orphans: Characters created by the Swiss Colony mail order food company has three baby raccoons on a variety of products from log shaped [[chocolate]] cakes to coffee mugs.

The Orphans: Characters created by the Swiss Colony mail order food company has three baby raccoons on a variety of products from log shaped [[chocolate]] cakes to coffee mugs.

Sly Cooper: The titular raccoon thief from the Sly Cooper video game series, known for his stealth, loyalty to his friends, and good sense of humor.

Sly Cooper: The titular raccoon thief from the Sly Cooper video game series, known for his stealth, loyalty to his friends, and good sense of humor.

Rocket: A bipedal raccoon-like creature from the Guardians Of The Galaxy comics and films, known for his arrogance and foul mouth yet deeply loyal to his friends and allies.

[[Rocket Raccoon]]: A bipedal raccoon-like creature from the [[Guardians Of The Galaxy]] comics and films, known for his arrogance and foul mouth yet deeply loyal to his friends and allies.

 

[[Category:Carnivores]]

[[Category:Carnivores]]

[[Category:Mammals]]

[[Category:Mammals]]

[[Category:Animals]]

[[Category:Animals]]