It was assumed that they were washing their food, however this is false, raccoons do not wash all of their food before eating it and are known to perform this motion when there is no water around. There is evidence from fossils that suggests the raccoon inhabited the United States as far back as one million years and has changed very little. A raccoon is fairly sociable and is known to den with other raccoons. Raccoons are easily recognized by their ringed tail and black face mask. Females produce one litter a year with one to six kits.
Raccoons are very adaptable and can be found in many areas.
They prefer mature wooded areas that are near streams, ponds, and marshes. There is largely a pattern to their eating behavior. The early spring diet of a raccoon consists of insects and earthworms followed by mulberries and ripening fruit. Summer diets are of ripening fruits. Raccoons dine on whatever fruits remain plus acorns in September through December.