Common Names: Raccoon

Habitat: Lowland deciduous or mixed forests abundant with water and marshes, to sparsely wooded areas. They avoid open areas or beech forests, as they need something to climb when threatened. Nest in tree hollows and rock crevices. Native to North America, but now also found in central Germany after being introduced in the 1950s. Also found in suburban areas, where they are know for getting into trash cans. Range varies from a block in a suburb to 20 square miles in open terrain.

Description: The largest of the procyonid family, which includes coatimundi. 16 to 28 in long (not including tail), weighing 8 to 20 lb. Nocturnal. Omnivorous. Easily recognized by its black facial mask. Very intelligent. Dexterous forepaws. Tend to live in gender groups; males up to four per group. Females give birth to 2-5 young, dispersing in the fall. Life expectancy up to three years in the wild. Most common predator is the motorized vehicle.

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