Raccoon

Procyon lotor

### Regions

Canada, USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama

## Habitat

### Water Area

210 m² +45 m²/ea. add'l
10 m² +5 m²/ea. add'l

### Temperature

20 m² +5 m²/ea. add'l
‒9‒42 ℃

## Social

### Fem. Bachelor

2‒5 (up to 2 males, up to 3 females)
2‒4
2‒10

### Sterility

2 years
Death

### Interbirth

2 months
12 months

## Taxonomy

### Order

Mammalia
Carnivora

### Genus

Procyonidae
Procyon lotor

The **Raccoon** (*Procyon lotor)* is a small North American mammal featured in the Twilight Pack DLC for *Planet Zoo*.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population In Wild:** Unknown

The raccoon (or Procyon lotor) is a medium-sized mammal native throughout North America. It has gray-brown coarse hair, a long black-ringed tail, a pointed snout and distinctive facial markings often described as a 'mask across the eyes. Raccoons have very dextrous front paws which they use like hands. Raccoons measure 16.4 inches to 28 inches in length, with tails adding a further 7.6 inches to 16 inches. Males are typically larger than females and weigh between 5.5lb and 22.9lb, whereas females weigh 4lb to 16.5lb. Size and weight vary greatly across subspecies, climate and time of year.

Raccoons are not endangered and are considered a species of least concern, however some subspecies have been hunted to extinction in the past. While native to North America, there are several raccoon populations thriving in Europe (Germany hosting the largest population outside of America) and Asia due to deliberate releases in the early 20th century.

### Social

In the wild, raccoons may live solitarily or in loose sex-based fission-fusion groups depending on feeding grounds, the availability of water sources and overall population density.

### Reproduction

During the mating season from January to March, males venture from their home ranges in order to locate females. A male that has encountered a fertile female will begin a courtship display. He is likely to be aggressive to any other suitor, so larger males often manage to secure more mates. Copulation can last up to one hour and may be repeated over several days if the male and female choose to stay together. Both male and female raccoons may mate with multiple partners during one mating season.

Pregnancy lasts 60 to 75 days, after which the female gives birth to up to 7 kits, although litters of 3 to 4 kits are the norm. kits are born deaf and blind, and their ears and eyes open around 3 weeks old. At an age of 7 weeks they begin leaving the den and eating solid food. Weaning is complete by 16 weeks old.

While with their mother, she will show the kits various den spots and feeding grounds across her home range. Kits leave their mother and siblings between 5 and 8 months old. Female raccoons reach sexual maturity at 10 months old, males at 2 years.

## Animal Care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Slow Feeder · Small Fixed Roller Feeder
Block of Ice · Cardboard Box · Gift Box · Rubber Duck · Small Ball Colourful · Small Ball · Small Ice Ball · Water Jet · Water Jet Rock · Small Ball Pumpkin · Sprinkler

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Facts

* Raccoon hands are extremely sensitive, much like human hands.
* Raccoons know their territory well and may have up to 20 den spots that they use intermittently.
* There are 22 subspecies of raccoon spread across North America and the Caribbean
* The black mask around the raccoon's eyes improves their vision by absorbing excess light to reduce glare and help them see in the dark.
* Raccoons are excellent problem solvers and are very adept at working out puzzles when there is food involved.

## Gallery

Leucistc ColourmorphMelanistic Colourmorph