Raccoons of the World

The word 'raccoon' originated from a North American Indian wordaroughcan, which roughly translates as "he who scratches with his hands."

The scientific species name of the Common Raccoonlotor refers to their habit, in captivity, of apparently "washing" their food and other items. In the wild, similar actions of rubbing, feeling and dunking, using their highly dextrous and sensitive front paws, are associated with location and capture of aquatic prey such as crayfish and frogs.

Whether these actions are simply investigative or intended to rid the prey of distasteful skin secretions is not known. However captive animals will go through the same motions, even without water.

There is little a raccoon will not eat. They generally forage at night near water courses for frogs, crayfish, reptiles, fish, birds and eggs. However, they also seek out fruit, insects, worms, fresh corn and generally whatever is edible in mans' garbage.

Raccoons usually forage on their own for prey, but where food is potentially abundant they will congregate in groups.

The Common Raccoon is traditionally native to southern Canada, the USA and Central & South America. In North America, they have been extending their range northwards in recent years due to forest destruction and climate warming.

Imported to Europe in the 19th century for captive breeding, the collapse of this fur industry saw many animals released into the wild. They have now established healthy populations in Europe and Asia.

There are four other recognized raccoon species in the Americas. The most unusual is the semi-aquatic Crab-eating Raccoon from Costa Rica south to Argentina. Crabs are not its principal food, but it does prey on several types of animal found in or near its aquatic habitat.

Other raccoon species are found on Maria Madre Island, Cozumel Island and Guadeloupe, all in Mexico.