The most distiguishable charateristics of the raccoon are its black mask across the eyes and bushy tail with anywhere from four to ten black rings. The forepaws resemble slender human hands and make the raccoon unusually dextrous. Both their forepaws and hindpaws have five toes. Coloration varies with habitat, but tends to range from grey to reddish brown to buff.
Males are usually heavier than females, but the difference is often indistiguishable.
Raccoons' body length ranges from 60 to 105cm. In most habitats plants provide a larger percentage of the raccoon's diet than animals do. Plant foods vary from fruits to nuts, including wild grapes, cherries, apples, persimmons, berries, and acorns. Where available raccoons may also eat peaches, plums, figs, citrus fruits, watermelons, beech nuts, and walnuts. In some areas, much to the dismay of farmers, corn is the most important item in Procyon lotor 's diet.