RaccoonRaccoon

Procyon lotorProcyon lotor

ClassificationClassification

Kingdom: AnimaliaKingdom: Animalia Phylum: ChordataPhylum: Chordata Subphylum: VertebrataSubphylum: Vertebrata Class: MammaliaClass: Mammalia Order: CarnivoraOrder: Carnivora Family: ProcyonidaeFamily: Procyonidae Subfamily: ProcyoninaeSubfamily: Procyoninae Genus species: Procyon lotorGenus species: Procyon lotor

IdentificationIdentification

Gray-Brown or Brownish Gray-Brown or Brownish black with gray black with gray underneathunderneath

Pointed snout and black Pointed snout and black facial mask outlined in facial mask outlined in whitewhite

Bushy tail with black Bushy tail with black ringsrings

Males usually out weigh Males usually out weigh femalesfemales

Weight between 12-30 lbWeight between 12-30 lb Weight is typically higher Weight is typically higher

in the southin the south

I.D. Cont.I.D. Cont.

Front feet look Front feet look like human hands like human hands but smallerbut smaller

Have long hind Have long hind feetfeet

Front and hind Front and hind feet both finger-feet both finger-likelike

Have small earsHave small ears

Life HistoryLife History

Breeding takes place in January-Breeding takes place in January-April peak in FebruaryApril peak in February

Female capable of having litter at Female capable of having litter at one year of ageone year of age

Male typically don’t breed until Male typically don’t breed until age 2age 2

Litter averages 4-6 young called Litter averages 4-6 young called kittenskittens

Breeding cont.Breeding cont.

Gestation about 63 daysGestation about 63 days Do not form pair bondsDo not form pair bonds Males will typically breed with several Males will typically breed with several

females every spring.females every spring. Young will stay with mother until next Young will stay with mother until next

breeding seasonbreeding season Young weened in 10 weeksYoung weened in 10 weeks Young are born sparsely hairedYoung are born sparsely haired Grow a full coat in about 2 weeksGrow a full coat in about 2 weeks

Species diversitySpecies diversity

1 of seven species of the genus Procyon1 of seven species of the genus Procyon All geographically isolated All geographically isolated Northern raccoon is the most common Northern raccoon is the most common

species in North Americaspecies in North America Relatives include: Relatives include: Lesser panda of AsiaLesser panda of Asia Coatis of South AmericaCoatis of South America Kinkajou of Central AmericaKinkajou of Central America Olingos of central and South AmericaOlingos of central and South America

Population statusPopulation status

In North America the raccoon is In North America the raccoon is very abundant very abundant

Occurs everywhere except Rocky Occurs everywhere except Rocky Mountain region of the western U.S.Mountain region of the western U.S.

Lack of food in higher elevations Lack of food in higher elevations probably related to reason for probably related to reason for absenceabsence

High concentrations near cities and High concentrations near cities and suburban areassuburban areas

Distribution of PopulationDistribution of Population

North America DistributionNorth America Distribution

Pop. Cont.Pop. Cont.

Widespread distributed in KentuckyWidespread distributed in Kentucky Population affected by 2 major Population affected by 2 major

diseases in procyonsdiseases in procyons Rabies and Canine distemperRabies and Canine distemper Few predators although Bobcats, Few predators although Bobcats,

Coyotes, foxes, and Great Horned Coyotes, foxes, and Great Horned Owls may take young or sick animalsOwls may take young or sick animals

HabitatHabitat

Forested wetland areasForested wetland areas Riparian zones along streamsRiparian zones along streams Prefers mixed hardwood forest Prefers mixed hardwood forest

along cities and suburbsalong cities and suburbs Extremely adaptableExtremely adaptable Rely on moist habitats for Rely on moist habitats for

abundance of foodabundance of food

Habitat cont.Habitat cont.

They prefer to den in hollow They prefer to den in hollow hardwood treeshardwood trees

Have been found to den in Have been found to den in woodchuck burrows, caves, woodchuck burrows, caves, mines, deserted buildings, and mines, deserted buildings, and houses houses

Have kittens in protection of denHave kittens in protection of den

Diseases Diseases

The raccoon is a carrier of The raccoon is a carrier of diseases such as leptospirosis, diseases such as leptospirosis, canine distemper, giariasi, and canine distemper, giariasi, and rabies.rabies.

Rabies is spread from animal to Rabies is spread from animal to animal mainly from being bitten animal mainly from being bitten by an infected animal.by an infected animal.

A host for ectoparasites such as A host for ectoparasites such as fleas, ticks, and licefleas, ticks, and lice

Ecology Ecology

Occasional predators on many species Occasional predators on many species of fish, reptile eggs, and crustaceansof fish, reptile eggs, and crustaceans

Crepuscular and nocturnalCrepuscular and nocturnal Most feeding occurs in the early hours Most feeding occurs in the early hours

of the night.of the night. Omniverous: they eat anything they Omniverous: they eat anything they

can findcan find Escape predators by climbing trees: Escape predators by climbing trees:

they can climb both forwards and they can climb both forwards and backwards.backwards.

endothermicendothermic

Management concernsManagement concerns

Although pop. is stable concerns for rabies still arise.Although pop. is stable concerns for rabies still arise. Cornell Univ. along with biologist proved that oral Cornell Univ. along with biologist proved that oral

vaccines, those concealed in flavored baits and dropped vaccines, those concealed in flavored baits and dropped from aircraft, can immunize most raccoons against from aircraft, can immunize most raccoons against rabiesrabies

Cookie size baits that are flavored like marshmallows.Cookie size baits that are flavored like marshmallows. 36000 placebos dropped over 18.5 square mile area36000 placebos dropped over 18.5 square mile area live trapping of raccoons shown that 4/5 of wild live trapping of raccoons shown that 4/5 of wild

raccoons in the study area carried the biological marker raccoons in the study area carried the biological marker of the placebo in the bloodof the placebo in the blood

So if the placebos actually had vaccines in them then So if the placebos actually had vaccines in them then they could already be curing the rabid populations of they could already be curing the rabid populations of raccoonsraccoons

They strongly believe this is a way of administering They strongly believe this is a way of administering vaccines to wild animal populations quickly and vaccines to wild animal populations quickly and effectivelyeffectively

Concerns cont.Concerns cont.

Important because rabies not only Important because rabies not only harms raccoons but can spread to harms raccoons but can spread to humans through the saliva of humans through the saliva of infected animalsinfected animals

Other concernsOther concerns

Other concerns for raccoons is Other concerns for raccoons is their safety because they are their safety because they are serious predators on nesting serious predators on nesting wood duck eggs.wood duck eggs.

They may be killed due to nest They may be killed due to nest predation.predation.

Nest boxes now include devices Nest boxes now include devices to stop predation of eggs.to stop predation of eggs.

biologybiology

Does not migrate Does not migrate Have narrow home rangeHave narrow home range But may be extended during breeding But may be extended during breeding

season males travel many miles to find season males travel many miles to find available females for breedingavailable females for breeding

May become dormant in coldest winter May become dormant in coldest winter monthsmonths

Store fat reserves in the tail Store fat reserves in the tail Young more active in winter months Young more active in winter months

than adultsthan adults

Food Food

Diet changes from spring to winter Diet changes from spring to winter depending on what is availabledepending on what is available

Animal material is most important part Animal material is most important part of diet in spring and summer while of diet in spring and summer while plant material is used in the winterplant material is used in the winter

Considered a nuisance to farmersConsidered a nuisance to farmers Eat corn and any different grainsEat corn and any different grains Usually doesn’t finish whole ear of corn Usually doesn’t finish whole ear of corn

before going to another one. This in before going to another one. This in turn waste corn very quicklyturn waste corn very quickly

Raccoon signRaccoon sign

Crayfish leavings along shoreCrayfish leavings along shore Broken stalks, shredded husks, and Broken stalks, shredded husks, and

kernals, spreaded along cornfieldskernals, spreaded along cornfields Hollow tree may have scat around Hollow tree may have scat around

entrance with scratches around holeentrance with scratches around hole May use a latrine area where copious May use a latrine area where copious

quantities of scat are depositedquantities of scat are deposited Any of these elements may mean that Any of these elements may mean that

you may have a family of raccoons you may have a family of raccoons living in the vicinityliving in the vicinity

other…other…

Raccoons are Raccoons are commonly associated commonly associated with washing their with washing their food.food.

Latin name lotor Latin name lotor means “hand washer”means “hand washer”

Generally seen in Generally seen in raccoons in captivityraccoons in captivity

This behavior This behavior believed to be believed to be replacement for the replacement for the natural behavior of natural behavior of catching crayfish or catching crayfish or other aquatic prey.other aquatic prey.

Economic importance to Economic importance to humanshumans Positive:Positive: Raccoon pelts have been harvested Raccoon pelts have been harvested

since colonial period.since colonial period. During 1920’s coon coats were popular During 1920’s coon coats were popular

making a pelt worth about 14$. making a pelt worth about 14$. Although demand is no longer high, Although demand is no longer high, raccoon pelts may still be sold as raccoon pelts may still be sold as imitation mink, otter, or seal furimitation mink, otter, or seal fur

petspets

Economic cont.Economic cont.

Negative:Negative: Nuisance to farmersNuisance to farmers Damage to orchards, vineyards, melon Damage to orchards, vineyards, melon

patches, cornfields, and peanut fieldspatches, cornfields, and peanut fields Move on to next ear of corn before finishing Move on to next ear of corn before finishing

first.first. Costs farmers lots of moneyCosts farmers lots of money Many farmers let people come in and hunt Many farmers let people come in and hunt

the coons that cause problems to agricultural the coons that cause problems to agricultural practices. Hunting is regulated by KDFWR.practices. Hunting is regulated by KDFWR.

Tear up trash looking for foodTear up trash looking for food Eat pet food that is set out at night for petsEat pet food that is set out at night for pets

Around the houseAround the house

Raccoons can be a Raccoons can be a problem when problem when they become use they become use to human to human interactionsinteractions

Come around Come around houses to look for houses to look for food.food.

Sometime can be Sometime can be found inhabiting found inhabiting attics as a denattics as a den

Some things you can do Some things you can do to make your house coon to make your house coon proofproof Don’t feed the raccoons. They become tolerant to Don’t feed the raccoons. They become tolerant to

humans quickly and consider you a food source.humans quickly and consider you a food source. Cover up all possible entries into home. Make sure all Cover up all possible entries into home. Make sure all

raccoons are out first. You can tell if a raccoon is in raccoons are out first. You can tell if a raccoon is in the area by sprinkling flour in the walkway of the the area by sprinkling flour in the walkway of the opening. You need to check periodically to see if any opening. You need to check periodically to see if any activity had taken place. activity had taken place.

Hang ammonia soaked cotton balls around entries. Hang ammonia soaked cotton balls around entries. Raccoons hate strong smells.Raccoons hate strong smells.

Moth balls can help.Moth balls can help. Raccoons don’t like well lit areas. They prefer dark Raccoons don’t like well lit areas. They prefer dark

areas. So try a light up dark areas around the home areas. So try a light up dark areas around the home like garbage bins.like garbage bins.

Raccoons as petsRaccoons as pets

Pet raccoons are Pet raccoons are generally babiesgenerally babies

Caught in traps Caught in traps and raised as and raised as petspets

Very destructive Very destructive as petsas pets

Can be tamedCan be tamed

Pets cont.Pets cont.

Albinism is not Albinism is not uncommon in uncommon in raccoons. These raccoons. These are a popular choice are a popular choice but hard to come bybut hard to come by

Most in the wild are Most in the wild are quickly preyed upon quickly preyed upon because of their because of their easy to detect white easy to detect white coatcoat

Pets cont.Pets cont.

Most pets are Most pets are caught in the wild caught in the wild and are often and are often babies that have babies that have been hurt or taken been hurt or taken from the motherfrom the mother

Some pets wonder Some pets wonder into the house and into the house and are then capturedare then captured

FactsFacts

Raccoons that live in the wild may reach ages of 13-16. But Raccoons that live in the wild may reach ages of 13-16. But normally only live 4-5 years.normally only live 4-5 years.

One captive raccoon once lived 21 yearsOne captive raccoon once lived 21 years Males are bigger than females. They usually weigh from 12 Males are bigger than females. They usually weigh from 12

to 30 pounds. One once was recorded to weigh 62lbto 30 pounds. One once was recorded to weigh 62lb Usually these animals are solitary, or a few share a den, but Usually these animals are solitary, or a few share a den, but

a Minnesota trapper entered an old cabin in the winter to a Minnesota trapper entered an old cabin in the winter to behold 23 pairs of eyes staring back at him.behold 23 pairs of eyes staring back at him.

Excellent night visionExcellent night vision Can obtain speeds of 15 mph but normally scurry of when Can obtain speeds of 15 mph but normally scurry of when

frightenedfrightened They can drop 35 to 40 feet without serious harmThey can drop 35 to 40 feet without serious harm Excellent swimmers which make them very adaptable to Excellent swimmers which make them very adaptable to

wetland conditions, but normally choose not to because of wetland conditions, but normally choose not to because of the added weight of a wet coat.the added weight of a wet coat.

The end.The end.

Thank you for Thank you for your time.your time.