They are a medium sized animal usually weighing 10 to 30 pounds and are easily recognized by the black mask across the face and black rings around the tail. In the wild, they prefer living in areas near streams, rivers, lakes and marshes, and they require trees, brush and other cover. They usually make their home in hallow trees, logs, rocky crevices or abandoned armadillo holes.
Raccoons are opportunistic feeders taking whatever is available.
Fruits, berries, acorns, insects, fish, mollusks, grasshoppers, mice, birds, snakes, eggs and crayfish make up the bulk of their diet. They also feed on corn, sorghum and other cultivated farm crops. Usually, three or four young are born after a gestation period of 63 days. The young are weaned from 2 to 4 months of age, although many stay with the female until the following spring. Raccoons are intelligent and can adapt readily to living in close association with people.