The common raccoon or Northern raccoon (procyon lotor) is the most common species of racoons living in North America, though extending from southern Canada to Panama. They were once heavily hunted for their fur, hunters trapping these cute animals to meet the demand for fur hats and coats. Now, they have adapted very well to human development, they learned how to use the sewer systems of big cities to move about unnoticed, and are becoming a pest for humans sometimes. In the night these opportunistics forage for food. It has the scientific name procyon lotor. Procyon means "before the dog" and Lotor means "the washer". About the image
A raccoon (procyon lotor), photo taken 2004 by Bernard Landgraf
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Which zoos have them?
Artis (Netherlands)The Northern raccoon is listed as Least Concern (LR/lc), lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Namings for the northern raccoon
A young / baby of a northern raccoon is called a 'kit'. The females are called 'sow' and males 'boar'. A northern raccoon group is called a 'nursery'.Countries
Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and United StatesSome facts about the
Common raccoon
Adult weight : 6 kg (13.2 lbs)
Maximum longevity : 21 years
Female maturity :365 days
Male maturity : 365 days
Gestation : 63 days
Weaning : 91 days
Litter size : 4
Litters per year : 1
Interval between litters : 365 days
Weight at birth : 0.08 kg (0.176 lbs)
Weight at weaning : 1.175 kg (2.585 lbs)
Basal metabolic rate : 10 W
Body mass : 4.842 kg (10.6524 lbs)
Temperature : 37.85 °C (100.13 °F)
