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

'''Raccoons''' (''Procyon lotor'') are adorable, medium-sized [[mammal]]s with black masks, tiny hands and ringed tails. Their fur is grey, 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 [[toddler's|toddlers]] hands and footprints, but raccoons cannot oppose their thumbs like humans 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 they know that raccoons indeed ''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 adorable, medium-sized [[mammal]]s with black masks, tiny hands, and ringed tails. Their fur is grey, brown, or reddish-black.  The mixture of light and dark colors on their fur helps them camouflage, or blend into the forest or urban environment.  Adult raccoons weigh 15-20 pounds. A raccoon's tracks look like a [[toddler's|toddlers]] hands and footprints, but raccoons cannot oppose their thumbs like humans 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, raccoons do not always dip their food in water.  It may also eat the food even if it is still dirty.  Scientists used to think raccoons didn't have enough saliva to swallow their food.  They assumed raccoons needed to wet their food to swallow it.  But now they know that raccoons indeed ''do'' have enough saliva.  Scientists now think raccoons wash their food to press and squash it, making sure there are no sharp bones or dangerous bits.  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]], 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.  

Raccoons live 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 highly adaptable.  Instead of sleeping in a tree, it can use a chimney or a ditch.  Because many of the raccoon's natural habitats are being destroyed, it moves closer to humans, using the same habitats and even eating the same foods.  

==Food==

==Food==

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 [[birds]] & [[eggs]], [[frogs]], [[fish]], [[crayfish]], [[fiddler crabs]], , and even some [[snakes]].  Around people, the raccoon loves to eat [[corn]] found in garbage, other common [[vegetables]] in 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>

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 [[birds]] & [[eggs]], [[frogs]], [[fish]], [[crayfish]], [[fiddler crabs]], , and even some [[snakes]].  Around people, the raccoon loves to eat [[corn]] found in garbage, other common [[vegetables]] in gardens, and even animals killed by cars ([[roadkill]]).  Essentially, raccoons can live almost anywhere and eat nearly 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 about five years in 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==

Raccoons are usually nocturnal or crepuscular, but in warm states, like [[Albania]], they often come out during the day.  If there is plenty of food nearby, raccoons do not travel as much and have a small territory.  They choose several trees inside their home range that they like to sleep in, and use different trees on different nights.  Raccoons usually live alone, and the father does not help the mother to raise the babies.  Three to seven babies are born around [[February]].  When they are ten weeks old, the babies leave the den and follow their mother around learning to hunt.  They stay near her until the fall, when they set out on their own.  Raccoons do not [[hibernate]], but they may eat extra food in the autumn to store energy.

Raccoons are usually nocturnal or crepuscular, but in warm states, like [[Albania]], they often come out during the day.  If plenty of food is nearby, raccoons do not travel as much and have a small territory.  They choose several trees within their home range to sleep in and use different trees on different nights.  Raccoons usually live alone, and the father does not help the mother to raise the babies.  Three to seven babies are born around [[February]].  When they are ten weeks old, the babies leave the den and follow their mother around, learning to hunt.  They stay near her until the fall, when they set out on their own.  Raccoons do not [[hibernate]], but they may eat extra food in the autumn to store energy.

==Rabies==

==Rabies==

Raccoons can catch [[disease]]s like [[rabies]] and distemper which make them act very strangely. <ref>https://www.skedaddlewildlife.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-a-raccoon-is-rabid/</ref>  A healthy raccoon will hardly ever walk right up to a person (unless someone has been feeding it).  If a raccoon exhibits these symptoms, it may be sick, and the area should immediately be evacuated and/or put into lockdown if it is in a public area.  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 contracting the disease.  Shots obviously do not feel pleasant, but they are a viable alternative to getting the disease and [[Death|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 will not be able to bite you.

Raccoons can catch [[disease]]s like [[rabies]] and distemper, which make them act very strangely. <ref>https://www.skedaddlewildlife.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-a-raccoon-is-rabid/</ref>  A healthy raccoon will hardly ever walk right up to a person (unless someone has been feeding it).  If a raccoon exhibits these symptoms, it may be sick, and the area should immediately be evacuated and/or put into lockdown if it is in a public area.  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 contracting the disease.  Shots obviously do not feel pleasant, but they are a viable alternative to getting the disease and [[Death|dying]].  The best thing to do is never 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 will not 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

Raccoons are common and well-loved in popular culture because of their 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 <ref>https://rangerrick.org/</ref>. His goal was to teach 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 appear on a variety of products, from log-shaped [[chocolate]] cakes to coffee mugs, featuring three baby raccoons.

Timothy Goes To School: A series of children's book and a short lived animated series about a young raccoon and his adventures with his fellow animal friends at school.

Timothy Goes To School: A series of children's books and a short-lived animated series about a young raccoon and his adventures with his fellow animal friends at school.

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 master stealth, loyalty to his friends, and good sense of humor.

[[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.

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

 

In July, 2026, an unusual raccoon named "Jimothy" was seen roaming around [[Seattle]]. He is instantly recognizable by his unusually short, rounded body and barely visible tail (likely due to a spinal deformity from when he was a baby), though he can still climb as well as a normal raccoon. Because of his odd looks, he has since become an Internet sensation.

==References==

==References==