Range

America is the native home of the northern raccoon. Here they are native to Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and United States.

A number of introduced populations of the northern raccoon exist across Europe and Asia. These can be found in Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Habitat

Northern raccoons are highly adaptable and this has allowed for their wide range and for them to become established in a number of areas where they are considered an invasive species.

They are reliant on water and are often found along streams and riverbanks. The main populations make their home in hardwood swamps, mangroves, marshes and flood forests. Where food is available they will live around human habitations such as cities and towns.

A den is most often built in a tree though they can inhabit woodchuck burrows. Abandoned caves, mines, building and houses may also be used as a home for the northern raccoon.

Reproduction

Northern raccoons come together only to mate. Males will enlarge their territory during the breeding season to cover that of more females. After mating the male will leave.

Mating season varies across their range. Typically northern populations breed earlier than those in the south.

After a successful mating the female will give birth to three or four young though litters as large as 7 have been recorded. These may have different fathers. The young are called kits. The gestation period is 60-73 days.

The young are born in a den which is lined with leaves. At birth the eyes are closed and the kit has barely any fur. It will be three weeks before the eyes open. The young begin to leave the den by 9 weeks old.

Independence is achieved at 6 months old though some remain with their mother for as long as a year.

Males reach sexual maturity at 2 years old with females maturing at 1 year old.

Behavior

Northern raccoons are good swimmers and may spend several hours in the water. They are also good at climbing trees.

A group of raccoons is called a nursery.

They can make a number of vocalizations including hisses, whistles, snarls and growls.

Northern raccoons are nocturnal and it is rare to see them awake at night.

In periods of extreme cold the raccoon will rest though their metabolic rate does not decrease. During these periods their weight can drop by as much as 50%.

A group of raccoons will create a community latrine where they all go to deposit their feces.

Predators and Threats

They face predation from cougars, bobcats, coyotes and birds of prey. Young may be preyed upon by snakes.

Humans reduce their population through vehicle strikes, hunting and poisoning. Due to their large range and adaptability to living alongside humans they still have a large population.

Quick facts

Originally the northern raccoon was grouped with the bears. Now they are placed in a separate genus called Procyon which means doglike.

Northern raccoons are highly intelligent and in some studies have been seen to remember solutions to tasks for as many as 3 years.

A male raccoon is called a boar while the female is known as a sow.

The latin name of the raccoon, Lotor means ‘the washer’ and references the way they wash food.