The raccoon has special forepaws shaped very much like tiny human hands with five fingers and amazing dexterity. The raccoon's body shape is similar to that of a small bear. Weight variations are due to seasonal fluctuations, in which raccoons lose weight in March at about the time they reproduce and the temperatures start to warm. Raccoons will live in any woodlands near water. They are found all across North America and only cold temperatures keep them away.
Raccoons live in wetlands, plains, and especially forests.
They prefer hollow trees for their dens, but will live in rock crevices and caves, on the ground in swamps under cedars, brush, abandoned buildings, and other animals' abandoned ground burrows. The further north the more insulated the dens will be. Because conditions in the wild are so harsh, raccoons are lucky to survive five years and have the mean life span determinations of 1.8 years for Missouri raccoons and 3.1 for Alabama raccoons. Dry feeding is done with certain types of foods like nuts, and the raccoon rolls or rubs the object of food, to examine and then consume it. On the other hand, dabbling is done where water is nearby and while catching fish, crayfish, etc.