Information obtained from the Opossum Society of the United States. No, to both. Raccoons call the continental US home, and they are most comfortable near ponds, the CTA train tracks, the Canal or heavily forested areas where they have access to water. They have tactile hands, long, sharp nails, and a very inquisitive nature. Considering that most of their area has been turned into small communities of humans, it's amazing that they have adapted as well as they have.
Raccoons are mammals that eat meat and vegetable matter.
Some of their favorite foodstuffs are the meadow mouse and crayfish. In the spring they eat more animal matter like insects, snails, frogs, worms, young fish, birds, and mammals since these items are abundant. If you feed your dog or cat outside your are probably feeding the raccoons too. Many Evanstonions are delighted to see a mom and kits joining their cat at a nightly supper. They mate mid-winter and give birth in early spring to between three and six kits with the average being four.