The raccoon

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a short-legged, omnivorous mammal from the family of raccoons.

The raccoon lives in deciduous and mixed forests near water. It gets its name from its behavior in flowing water, searching for crayfish or other prey under stones and other hiding places. Visually, it looks as if it is washing its food. As a species that has adapted to human-modified environments, it also lives in suburbs and parks. Landfills and campgrounds are popular foraging spots. Abandoned badger and fox dens, rock crevices, hollow trees, as well as sheds, attics, lofts, or abandoned cars serve as resting, sleeping, and breeding grounds for its young.

Interesting facts about raccoons:

Raccoons grow to between 41 and 71 centimeters in length and weigh between 3.6 and 9.0 kg. In colder regions, they can be even heavier.
They have long fur, predominantly yellowish-grey mixed with black. The dense undercoat, which makes up almost 90% of the total number of hairs, protects the animals from the cold and consists of hairs 2.0 to 3.0 centimeters long.
The face is characterized by a "Zorro mask" around the eyes. The dark mask is intended to reduce glare and thus improve night vision.
The slightly rounded ears are surrounded by white fur.
Her dentition consists of 40 teeth.
Raccoons have a 20–30 cm long, ringed tail.
Raccoons have human-like hands with five fingers, which they use to gather food. They use them to open bowls, doors, and so many other things.
As omnivores, they mainly eat plants, nuts, fish, birds, insects, fruits, berries, seeds, garbage, and small mammals. They are natural pest controllers.
The paw print resembles that of a plantigrade animal. The print of the hind paws is similar to the footprint of a small child. They can stand on their hind legs and examine objects with their front paws.
Because of their short legs, they cannot run fast or jump far.
Raccoons often place their food in water before eating it. They have a highly developed sense of touch, and water enhances this effect. This analytical process of feeling the food provides them with precise information about what they are ingesting. They have an excellent memory.
Besides being important for orientation in the dark, the sense of smell is especially important for communication with other members of the same species.
Raccoons are able to perceive very quiet sounds, such as those made by earthworms buried in the ground.
Raccoons are excellent swimmers and climbers. They can stay in the water for several hours.
Raccoons are occasionally kept as pets, especially in the USA.
Raccoons do not hibernate. However, they do spend the coldest time of year in their hiding places.
Raccoons produce various sounds. They can hiss, growl, whistle, and purr.
Raccoons are adaptable nocturnal animals.
The natural enemies of raccoon cubs are lynx, eagle, eagle owl and fox.
While raccoons were once considered solitary animals, there is now evidence that they exhibit gender-specific social behavior. Related females often share a common territory; unrelated males, on the other hand, live together in loose, small groups of up to four animals.
The mating season is between January and March. Two months later, 3-4 young are born, still without their characteristic facial mask. The mother is very protective and teaches the young what and how to eat as soon as they emerge from hiding. By autumn, they are fully trained and independent.
The average life expectancy is a few years. In captivity, up to 20 years.
Hunting and traffic accidents are the two most frequent causes of death. As a non-native species, the raccoon can be hunted year-round in Switzerland without a closed season, even though it has not been proven that it threatens native fauna. The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) states: "We do not want this non-native species, and it can be shot." However, many cantons have established closed seasons. It is not possible to permanently eradicate raccoons from an area that provides them with a suitable habitat through intensive hunting. They simply increase their reproduction rate, like foxes, up to a certain limit, or animals from the surrounding area migrate into the newly vacated territories. The costs of removing all raccoons from a large area, even temporarily, generally far exceed the costs of the damage they cause. Raccoons have been living in Swiss forests for about 35 years. They have become more common, especially around Lake Geneva, since 2003. He is also exploring the Swiss Midlands, the Jura Mountains and the Pre-Alps.

Facts, not hunters' tales, about raccoons

What is Wild beim Wild doing to protect raccoons?

We are committed to preserving and connecting populations and their habitats. Natural corridors enable genetic exchange between individual populations. Protecting not only predators but also their prey is an essential part of our work. We achieve this by defending wildlife from unnecessary hunting and poaching wherever possible.

Animal portraits