Raccoon Facts
Procyon lotor
Raccoons are adaptable nocturnal mammals native to North America. Sensitive front paws, dexterity, and flexible diets help them thrive in forests, wetlands, and cities.
- Habitat
- Forest
- Diet
- Fruit, nuts, insects, eggs, and small animals
- Lifespan
- 2–5 years
Raccoon Facts at a Glance
Raccoons are adaptable nocturnal mammals native to North America. Sensitive front paws, dexterity, and flexible diets help them thrive in forests, wetlands, and cities.
It belongs to the family Procyonidae in the order Carnivora. This profile is designed as a concise starting point; the source names below document the review basis.
Raccoon Habitat
Raccoons live in Forest and Wetland and Urban habitats. Their recorded range includes North America. Suitable food, shelter, and conditions for raising young help shape that range.
What Do Raccoons Eat?
Raccoons have a omnivore diet that includes Fruit, nuts, insects, eggs, and small animals. The food available in their environment shapes how they find, hunt, forage for, or receive meals.
Raccoon Lifespan, Size, and Weight
Raccoons typically live for 2–5 years. Adults measure about 40–70 cm and weigh around 5–26 kg; these ranges can vary with sex, age, environment, and access to food.
Raccoon Conservation Status
Raccoon is listed here as Least Concern. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.
Quick facts
- Region
- North America
- Habitat
- Forest, Wetland, Urban
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Lifespan
- 2–5 years
- Size
- 40–70 cm
- Weight
- 5–26 kg
Fun facts
- Their front paws contain dense sensory receptors for examining objects.
- The dark facial mask may reduce glare and sharpen night vision.
- Raccoons remember solutions to tasks for long periods.
- They often use tree cavities, rock crevices, or buildings as dens.
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Sources and image credit
Animal facts are reviewed against the references below. The photograph remains available under the stated license.