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Raccoon (Coon, Ringtail) Procyon lotor
Members of this family are of medium
size, about that of a small dog. They have 5 toes on each foot with no retractile
claws, and walk on entire foot. Tail has distinct yellowish-white
rings.
Identification: Head and body 18-28
in.; tail 8-12 in. wt. 12-35 lb. Often seen dead along highway. Body
pepper-and-salt mixture. May be recognized by black mask over eyes and
alternating rings of yellowish white and black on tail. Skull has 40
teeth.
Similar species: (1) Ringtail has a slender
body and the tail is as long or longer than head and body. (2) In the
Coati the tail is a s long as head and body and is indistinctly ringed.
Habitat: Along streams and lake borders near
wooded areas or rock cliffs.
Habits: Chiefly nocturnal, but occasionally
abroad during day. Feeds mostly along streams and lakes; omnivorous;
eats fruits, nuts, grains, insects, frogs, crayfish, bird eggs-anything
available; may dunk food in ware before eating. Dens up in hollow trees,
hollow logs, rock crevices, or ground burrows during cold spells in
North, but does not hibernate. Home range up to 2 mi. across, normally
less than 1 mi. young known to disperse up to 165 mi. from birth place,
mostly less than 30 mi. Recorded population of 1 per acre to 1 per 15
acres (considered high) Captives live to 14 years. Voice variable. A low
twittering sound from the mother assures young, but growls and snarls
denote anger. Some females mate 1st year; mate Feb-March in
North, early South.
Young: Born
April or May; 2-7, average 4; gestation period 63 days; 1 litter a year;
wt. 2½ oz. Eyes open in about 3 weeks. Abroad with mother at 2 months;
leave mother in fall.
Economic status:
May damage roasting-ear corn and raid poultry yards; for many, value of
pelts and pleasure of seeing them in the wild outweighs harm done; meat
edible. |
