Raccoon ReportGENERAL OVERVIEWRaccoons (Procyon lotor) belong to the Procyonidae family (those who came before the dog family). This very intelligent mammal has a rounded head with a short nose, small ears and a sturdy body with greyish brown fur, thick and of minimal length. Raccoons are easily identified by a distinctive pattern of alternating black and yellowish white rings around a large bushy tail. They are also identified by a unique black face mask with two white spots above the eyes. The average length is 2 to 3 feet (including the tail) and 12 inches tall, weighs 8 to 22 pounds (heavier in the fall), and lives 10 to 13 years. Females produce one litter per year, one to six kilts and an average of four to five. SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ADAPTATIONS Raccoons have had a long time to adapt and adapt to different environments. Raccoons have keen senses of smell and hearing. (Blashfield, 2004) They are strong and agile, therefore good climbers of trees and fences. Each foot has five long, thin toes, which operate with remarkable dexterity. This was an adaptation developed for living in dense forests and areas populated by heavy trees. In the wild they use their front legs to find food in the water, open crustaceans and bring food to their mouths. In urban areas the raccoon has learned to dig through human waste as a significant food source. In adapting to the human habitat, they often apply this dexterity to open the garba...