STANLEY WOODS’ CRITTERS: Raccoon 001 

North American Raccoon
Procyon lotor cancrivorus
From the B.C. Ministry of the Environment

How to Identify Them

The distinctive features of the raccoon are:

• stout, rounded body
• dense, grey-brown fur
• bushy tail, about one-third the body length with four to six black rings.
• small pointed muzzle
• bare paws with long toes and sharp curved claws
• Average weight:
  • male 8.6 kg (19 lbs)
  • female 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs)

Habitat and Food

The raccoon inhabits forested areas near rivers, but is also found in urban areas. Dens are usually located about ten feet from the ground in hollow trees, although caves, burrows and empty man-made structures are also used as shelter. the home is insulated with wood chips or leaves. The raccoon is omnivorous so its diet consists of both plants and animals: wild berries, fruits, vegetables, crayfish, insects and small vertebrates such as fish, frogs, mice, rabbits, squirrels and birds. In urban areas garbage-can contents are popular.

Habits

Active during darkness, the raccoon possesses an acute sense of touch in its muzzle and fingers, good eyesight and acute hearing, especially with respect to ground vibrations. Intelligent and somewhat cunning, the raccoon is also an excellent swimmer and climber. It uses its forefeet like hands to catch and hold food, to climb trees and fences and even open gate latches. Several raccoons den together in winter, in a state of semi-hibernation for a few months.

Predators

Because of their size and climbing ability, raccoons have few natural predators. Bobcats, red foxes and coyotes manage to catch a few, and the great horned owl preys on young raccoons.

Reproduction

Mating occurs in late winter. Between mid-April and May, a litter of once to eight playful, young coons are born. They remain with the mother until the following spring.

Life Span

A raccoon's average life span is 13 years.

Management

The British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch is the government agency responsible for the protection and management of fish and wildlife in our province. For further information:

• Ministry of the Environment
  Information Services Branch
  Parliament Buildings
  Victoria, BC

Province of British Columbia
Ministry of the Environment