MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI 14:1–5
Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor)
David W. Carraway
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State,
Mississippi, 39762, USA
Abstract.—Procyon lotor Linnaeus, 1758, is a procyonid commonly called raccoon, common
raccoon, northern raccoon, North American raccoon or, colloquially, coon. Characterized by its
black facial mask and ringed tail, it is the most widespread of the three species in the genus
Procyon. The range for P. lotor extents from Canada to Panama and includes some coastal
islands; additionally, it has been introduced in several European and Asian Countries. Highly
intelligent and dexterous, it can live anywhere that water is available and since human
encroachment it has actually seen an increase in range. It is not of special conservation concern
and is probably the most common furbearer in the southeastern United States.
Published 05 December 2008 by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State
University.
Northern Raccoon
Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)
CONTEXT AND CONTENT.
Order
Carnivora, suborder Caniformia, family
Procyonidae.
The family Procyonidae
consists of 6 genera: Bassaricyon,
Bassariscus, Nasua, Nasuella, Potos, and
Procyon. Members of Procyon are P.
Cancrivorus, P. lotor, and P. pygmaeus.
Currently, 22 subspecies are recognized
within P. lotor including: P. l. lotor
(Linnaeus 1758), P. l. auspicatus (Nelson
1930), P. l. elucus (Bangs 1898), P. l.
excelsus (Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l.
fuscipes (Mearns 1914), P. l. gloveralleni
(Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l. grinnelli
(Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l.
hernandezii (Wagler 1831), P. l. hirtus
(Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l. incautus
(Nelson 1930), P. l. inesperatus (Nelson
1930), P. l. insularis (Merriam 1898), P. l.
litoreus (Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l.
marinus (Nelson 1930), P. l. maynardi
(Bangs 1898), P. l. megalodous (Lowery
1943), P. l. pacificus (Merriam 1899), P. l.
pallidus (Merriam 1900), P. l. psora (Gray
1842), P. l. pumilus (Miller 1911), P. l.
simus (Gidley 1906), and P. l.
vancouverensis (Nelson and Goldman
1930).
GENERAL CHARACTERS
A black facial mask and a tail
exhibiting black rings are distinguishing
physical features (Fig. 1). Pelage varies
from iron gray to black and may exhibit a
brown or red tinge. Albinism is known to
occur. Male and female measurements for
raccoons occurring in Alabama follow (in
cm): zygomatic breadth 7 to 8, 6 to 7; total
length 64 to 81, 66 to 78; tail length 19 to
28, 20 to 27; hind foot length (excluding
claw) 9 to 11, 8 to 11 and ear length (from
notch) 5 to 7, 4 to 7 (Johnson 1970).
However, greater measurement variation is
known to occur throughout the range (Hall
and Kelson 1959). Fig. 2 depicts the skull.
Feet bear 5 digits and possess no webbing
between digits. In Alabama, males average
Procyon lotor
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MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI
4.309 kilograms and females average 3.674
kilograms (Johnson 1970).
However,
weight varies widely and is correlated with
distribution and seasons. Gait ranges from
semiplantigrade to plantigrade.
United States, it occurs throughout the state
of Mississippi.
Fig. 3. Distribution of Procyon lotor. Red depicts native range;
blue depicts Introduced range. Image composition was derived
from various sources. Image use is authorized under GFDL
licenses.
FORM AND FUNCTION
Fig. 1. Adult Procyon lotor photographed in Hinds County,
Mississippi, September 2008. Photo courtesy of the author.
Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Molt occurs annually during the
summer months (Goldman 1950).
An
omnivorous lifestyle is facilitated by an
adult dental formula of i 3/3, c 1/1, p 4/4,
and m 2/2, total 40. However, the first
premolars may be absent (Goldman 1913).
In Alabama, a mature bacula is developed at
approximately 15 months of age (Johnson
1970).
Hibernation is not practiced;
although, very cold weather may stimulate
an extended stay in a den (Schneider et al.
1971). Summer and fall fat accumulation
helps provide an energy source during the
winter months (Mech et al. 1968). During
cold weather heart rates increase (Folk et al.
1968).
ONTOGENY AND REPRODUCTION
Fig. 2. Skull of mature Procyon lotor. Photo courtesy of the
author.
Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
DISTRIBUTION
Range (Fig. 3) extents from Canada
to Panama and includes some coastal
islands. Additionally, P. lotor has been
introduced in several European and Asian
Countries. Common in the southeastern
In Alabama, the average conception
date occurs in mid April; subsequently, the
average birth date occurs in mid June
(Johnson 1970). Contributions from those
less than a year old to the overall
productivity of a population are relatively
insignificant (Johnson 1970). Late-born
survival may be relatively low (Mech et al.
1968).
After the gestation period,
approximately 63 days, typically 2 to 5
young are born. Female raccoons are
responsible for the rearing of young
(Schneider et al. 1971). Weaning occurs
Procyon lotor
MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI
between week 7 and 4 months of age
(Montgomery 1969). Though longevity may
range from 13 to 16 years, the average
lifespan in the wild in Alabama is 3.1 years
(Johnson 1970).
ECOLOGY
Population
characteristics.—
Raccoons are ecological generalists, which
occupy diverse habitats in diverse
landscapes (Chamberlain et al. 2002).
Population density varies widely. Food
shortage, hunting, disease, parasites, and
physiological stress (due to high density) are
causes of mortality. Juvenile mortality
rarely occurs during the summer or fall;
however, during the winter, mortality may
increase (Johnson 1970). Typically, the
ratio of males to females at birth is equal
(Stains 1956). Typical litters of 1.9 to 5
young disperse at approximately 9 months
of age (Sharp and Sharp 1956).
Space use.—Raccoons select den
sites such as tree rest sites, tree cavities,
brush piles, ground dens, and abandoned
structures based partially on the availability
of food and water resources (Henner et al.
2004). Crop fields, roads, and macrohabitat
edges often coincide with preferred den sites
(Henner et al. 2004).
In Mississippi,
females generally utilize tree cavities during
the young-rearing periods (spring and
summer). However, males typically utilize
ground dens and brush piles during this time
period (Henner et al. 2004).
Due to
parturition and rearing responsibilities
females are more constrained than males in
terms of resource needs (Beasley and
Rhodes 2008). Males prefer den sites
associated with lakes and ponds. Females
prefer den sites near crop fields (Henner et
al. 2004). Raccoons may actually avoid
hazardous areas such as roads when foraging
(Wilson and Nielsen 2007). Long-range
movement is known to occur.
3
Diet.—Raccoons
are
nocturnal
omnivores. In Alabama, berries, nuts, seeds,
and arthropods are the most important food
sources (Johnson 1970). During the winter,
diets primarily consist of hard mast;
however, during the spring and summer
diets primarily consist of soft mass (Johnson
1970). In agricultural landscapes, crops or
food sources associated with crops (e.g.
insects) act as the raccoons’ primary food
source (Rivest and Bergeron 1981).
Diseases and Parasites.—Raccoons
are an indicator species for the monitoring
of disease and pollutants (Bigler et al. 1975).
Zoonotic diseases are a concern in the
southeastern United States where raccoons
are known to carry 13 pathogens harmful to
humans (Bigler et al. 1975). The United
States Department of Agriculture, through
Wildlife Services, administers an oral rabies
vaccination (ORV) program in an attempt to
control rabies in raccoons through the use of
vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein (V- RG) baits
(Boulanger 2008). The biggest threat of
rabies to Mississippi may be from the
movement of a southeastern strain of rabies
into the state from Alabama via raccoons
(Elchos 2004).
Periodically, extensive
mortality occurs as a result of respiratory
infections commonly due to canine
distemper (Johnson 1970). In Alabama, a
total of 19 species of endo-parasites and 11
species of ecto-parasites are known to
adversely impact raccoon populations
(Johnson 1970).
Interspecific interactions.—During
the breeding season, raccoons typically
select cavities that are high off the ground,
presumably as increased protection from
coyotes and bobcats (Wilson and Nielsen
2007).
Damages caused by raccoons
generally only occur in areas of
overpopulation (Johnson 1970). Even a
small reduction in large raccoon populations
could substantially reduce damage in
agricultural crops such as corn (Beasley and
Procyon lotor
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MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI
Rhodes 2008). Hunting, which is generally
the only acceptable control method in this
scenario, should be encouraged in such areas
(Johnson 1970).
BEHAVIOR
Males may be territorial in regard to
other males; however, females are not
territorial (Fritzell 1978).
Typically,
raccoons are most active on warm, rainy
nights (Johnson 1970). Those who have
used dogs to study raccoons suggest that
they have excellent memories and learning
abilities and actually plan escape routes and
techniques (Johnson 1970).
GENETICS
Apparently chromosome numbers
are polymorphic (Lotze and Anderson
1979). Albinism is known to occur.
CONSERVATION
Economic return from raccoons is
significant. In 1966, the United States
Department of Commerce estimated that 1
to 2 million raccoons were harvested yearly
for their pelt and meat. In Mississippi,
raccoons have traditionally been pursued for
food, sport, and pelt. Today, Mississippi
continues to see economic return via the
sales of hunting and trapping licenses and
coondog training permits. Local revenue is
generated via organized competition
coonhound events, which draw competitors
from across the United States.
The
International Union for Conservation of
Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists
P. lotor as a species of least concern (IUCN
2008).
LITERATURE CITED
Beasley, J. C., and O. E. Rhodes Jr. 2008.
Relationship
between
raccoon
abundance and crop damage.
Human–Wildlife Conflicts 2:248—
259.
Bigler, W. J., J. H. Jenkins, P.M. Cumbie,
G. L.Hoff and E. C. Prather. 1975.
Wildlife and environmental health:
Raccoons as indicators of zoonoses
and pollutants in southeastern United
States. Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association
167:592—597.
Boulanger, J. R., L. L. Bigler, P. D. Curtis,
D. H. Lein, and A. J. Lembo Jr.
2008.
Evaluation of an oral
vaccination program to control
raccoon rabies in a suburbanized
landscape.
Human–Wildlife
Conflicts 2:212—224.
Chamberlain, M. J., L. M. Conner, and B. D.
Leopold. 2002. Seasonal habitat
selection by raccoons (Procyon
lotor) in intensively managed pine
forests of central Mississippi. The
American
Midland
Naturalist.
147:102–108.
Elchos, B.
2004.
Rabies Report.
Mississippi Board of Animal Health.
Retrieved 13 October, 2008, from:
http://www.mbah.state.ms.us/disease
_programs/rabies/rabies_report_2005
.htm
Folk, G. E., Jr., K. B. Coady, and M. A.
Folk.
1968.
Physiological
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Iowa Academy of Science 75:301—
305.
Fritzell, E. K. 1978. Habitat use by prairie
raccoons during the waterfowl
breeding season. Journal of Wildlife
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mammals from Panama and Mexico.
Procyon lotor
MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI
Smithsonian
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Hall, E. R., and K. R. Kelson. 1959. The
mammals of North America. Ronald
Press, New York, New York 2:viii +
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Henner, C. M., M. J. Chamberlain, B. D.
Leopold, and L. W. Burger Jr. 2004.
A Multi-Resolution Assessment of
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187.
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Threatened Species. Retrieved 05
November,
2008,
from:
http://www.iucnredlist.org
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(Procyon lotor varius Nelson and
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Auburn
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Mech, L. D., D. M. Barnes, and J. R. Tester.
1968.
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5
Rivest, P., and J. M. Bergeron. 1981.
Density, food habits, and economic
importance of raccoons (Procyon
lotor) in Quebec agrosystems.
Canadian Journal of Zoology
59:1755—1762.
Schneider, D. G., L. D. Mech, and J. R.
Ester. 1971. Movements of female
raccoons and their young as
determined
by
radiotracking.
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economic
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Miscellaneous Publication Museum
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Wilson, S. E., and C. K. Nielsen. 2007.
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Contributing editor of this account was
Clinton Smith.