North American raccoon

The North American raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a nocturnal mammal found from Canada to South America. It is recognized by its distinctive black eye mask and a bushy tail with 5 to 10 black rings. This intelligent and adaptable animal is omnivorous, eating a varied diet that includes invertebrates, rodents, fruits, and plants. Despite a common misconception, raccoons do not wash their food; they manipulate it in water while searching for it.

Raccoons are known for their ability to thrive in urban environments, often denning in buildings and foraging for food in garbage. They are proficient climbers and swimmers, typically denning in riverbanks, hollow trees, or abandoned lodges. To survive winter, northern raccoons accumulate body fat and enter a dormant state. While they can live up to 20 years in captivity, their wild lifespan is typically under 5 years due to predators, disease, and human activity. Raccoons are sometimes considered a nuisance due to their fondness for crops and garbage, and they have been introduced to other parts of the world where they can become invasive.12