Raccoon

For other uses, see Raccoon (disambiguation).

"Trash panda" redirects here. For the baseball team, see Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Raccoon Temporal range: Template:Geological range
Eastern raccoon (P. l. lotor), Central Park in New York City
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
:	[[Template:Taxonomy/Procyon]]
Species:	Template:Taxonomy/ProcyonP. lotor
Binomial name
Template:Taxonomy/ProcyonProcyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)
Native range in red, introduced range in blue
Synonyms
Ursus lotor Linnaeus, 1758

Raccoon (Procyon lotor), sometimes designated as the North American, northern, or common raccoon (also spelled racoon) to differentiate it from other raccoon species, represents a mammalian species indigenous to North America. It holds the distinction of being the largest member of the procyonid family, with body measurements extending from 40 to 70 cm (16 to 28 in) in length and weighing between 5 to 26 kg (11 to 57 lb). The animal's characteristic grayish coat primarily consists of dense underfur, which provides insulation against cold weather conditions.

The raccoon's most recognisable characteristics include its remarkably dexterous front paws, distinctive facial mask, and ringed tail—features that feature prominently in the mythologies of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Raccoons demonstrate notable intelligence, with scientific studies indicating their capacity to retain solutions to tasks for at least three years. They typically exhibit nocturnal behavior and maintain an omnivorous diet, consuming approximately 40% invertebrates, 33% plant material, and 27% vertebrates.

Originally inhabiting deciduous and mixed forests, raccoons have demonstrated remarkable adaptability, extending their geographical range to include mountainous regions, coastal marshes, and urban environments. In some residential areas, certain homeowners perceive them as problematic wildlife. Through mid-20th century escapes and deliberate introductions, raccoons have become established across central Europe, the Caucasus region, and Japan. Since 2016, European authorities have designated the raccoon as an Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern, prohibiting import, breeding, transportation, commercialisation, and intentional environmental release throughout the European Union.

Contrary to previous beliefs that raccoons were predominantly solitary, current evidence reveals sex-specific social behaviors. Related females frequently share common territories, while unrelated males form groups of up to four individuals to defend their positions against competing males during mating seasons and against other potential intruders. Home range dimensions vary significantly, from 3 hectares for urban females to 5,000 hectares for prairie males.

Following a gestation period of approximately 65 days, females give birth to two to five offspring known as "kits" during spring. The kits remain under maternal care until dispersal occurs in late autumn. While captive raccoons can live beyond 20 years, their natural lifespan typically ranges from 1.8 to 3.1 years, with hunting and vehicular accidents representing the primary causes of mortality in many regions.

Etymology

The mask of a raccoon is often interrupted by a brown-black streak that extends from forehead to nose.

The raccoon species is commonly referred to as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, and northern raccoon. Across various North American Indigenous languages, the names derive from references to the animal's remarkable manual dexterity and hand usage.

The English word "raccoon" originates from the Powhatan native term signifying "animal that scratches with its hands," which was documented in the Colony of Virginia. John Smith's compilation of Powhatan vocabulary recorded it as "aroughcun," while William Strachey noted it as "arathkone." Linguists have identified this as a reflex of the Proto-Algonquian root *ahrah-koon-em, translating to "[the] one who rubs, scrubs and scratches with its hands." The spelling is occasionally rendered as "racoon".

In Spanish terminology, the raccoon is designated as "mapache," which derives from the Nahuatl "mapachtli" of the Aztec civilization, meaning "[the] one who takes everything in its hands".

The scientific classification of the raccoon is Procyon lotor. The genus name "Procyon," derived from the Greek προ- (pro) 'before' and κύων (cyon) 'dog,' was initially assigned to the genus by Gottlieb Conrad Christian Storr in 1780. The complete name Procyon lotor translates from Latin as 'before-dog washer,' referencing the animal's observed behavior of "washing" or "dousing" its food (as detailed in the referenced section). This naming pattern appears in various languages—for instance, the French term raton laveur literally means 'washing rat'.

The colloquial abbreviation "coon" appears in compound terms like "coonskin" for fur clothing and in expressions such as "old coon" as trappers' self-reference. During the 1830s, the United States Whig Party adopted the raccoon as their emblem, leading opponents to pejoratively label them as "coons," perceiving them as overly sympathetic toward African-Americans. This usage soon evolved into an ethnic slur, particularly prevalent between 1880 and 1920 (as evidenced in "coon song" traditions). The term remains considered offensive today. Dogs specifically bred for raccoon hunting are referred to as coonhounds and coon dogs. Due to their urban habit of consuming human garbage, raccoons have also acquired the informal nickname "trash pandas".