Field card Swamp

Common Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Lives
Forests, wetlands, farms and towns across North and Central America
Size
Body 40 to 70 cm long, plus a ringed tail of 20 to 40 cm
Eats
Almost anything: crayfish, frogs, fruit, nuts, insects and eggs
Status
Least Concern (IUCN)

Common Raccoon facts

  • Its front paws are so sensitive that it often finds food by feel, underwater.
  • Its name, lotor, means "washer" in Latin.
  • It can open latches, jars and bins with its nimble front paws.

Myth Raccoons wash their food to keep it clean.

Fact They're feeling it: wet paws are even more sensitive.

In Word Biome

The Common Raccoon is one of the creatures in the Swamp world, where it goes by the Raccoon. Watch for it in costume as the Masquerade Raccoon. Tap it in the game to open this field card.

Costume: Masquerade Raccoon

Sources

Checked against: IUCN Red List, Smithsonian's National Zoo.