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Raccoon Procyon lotor Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Procyonidae Subfamily: Procyoninae Genus species: Procyon lotor Identification Gray-Brown or Brownish black with gray underneath Pointed snout and black facial mask outlined in white Bushy tail with black rings Males usually out weigh females Weight between 12-30 lb Weight is typically higher in the south I.D. Cont. Front feet look like human hands but smaller Have long hind feet Front and hind feet both finger-like Have small ears Life History Breeding takes place in January-April peak in February Female capable of having litter at one year of age Male typically don’t breed until age 2 Litter averages 4-6 young called kittens Breeding cont. Gestation about 63 days Do not form pair bonds Males will typically breed with several females every spring. Young will stay with mother until next breeding season Young weened in 10 weeks Young are born sparsely haired Grow a full coat in about 2 weeks Species diversity 1 of seven species of the genus Procyon All geographically isolated Northern raccoon is the most common species in North America Relatives include: Lesser panda of Asia Coatis of South America Kinkajou of Central America Olingos of central and South America Population status In North America the raccoon is very abundant Occurs everywhere except Rocky Mountain region of the western U.S. Lack of food in higher elevations probably related to reason for absence High concentrations near cities and suburban areas Distribution of Population North America Distribution Pop. Cont. Widespread distributed in Kentucky Population affected by 2 major diseases in procyons Rabies and Canine distemper Few predators although Bobcats, Coyotes, foxes, and Great Horned Owls may take young or sick animals Habitat Forested wetland areas Riparian zones along streams Prefers mixed hardwood forest along cities and suburbs Extremely adaptable Rely on moist habitats for abundance of food Habitat cont. They prefer to den in hollow hardwood trees Have been found to den in woodchuck burrows, caves, mines, deserted buildings, and houses Have kittens in protection of den Diseases The raccoon is a carrier of diseases such as leptospirosis, canine distemper, giariasi, and rabies. Rabies is spread from animal to animal mainly from being bitten by an infected animal. A host for ectoparasites such as fleas, ticks, and lice Ecology Occasional predators on many species of fish, reptile eggs, and crustaceans Crepuscular and nocturnal Most feeding occurs in the early hours of the night. Omniverous: they eat anything they can find Escape predators by climbing trees: they can climb both forwards and backwards. endothermic Management concerns Although pop. is stable concerns for rabies still arise. Cornell Univ. along with biologist proved that oral vaccines, those concealed in flavored baits and dropped from aircraft, can immunize most raccoons against rabies Cookie size baits that are flavored like marshmallows. 36000 placebos dropped over 18.5 square mile area live trapping of raccoons shown that 4/5 of wild raccoons in the study area carried the biological marker of the placebo in the blood So if the placebos actually had vaccines in them then they could already be curing the rabid populations of raccoons They strongly believe this is a way of administering vaccines to wild animal populations quickly and effectively Concerns cont. Important because rabies not only harms raccoons but can spread to humans through the saliva of infected animals Other concerns Other concerns for raccoons is their safety because they are serious predators on nesting wood duck eggs. They may be killed due to nest predation. Nest boxes now include devices to stop predation of eggs. biology Does not migrate Have narrow home range But may be extended during breeding season males travel many miles to find available females for breeding May become dormant in coldest winter months Store fat reserves in the tail Young more active in winter months than adults Food Diet changes from spring to winter depending on what is available Animal material is most important part of diet in spring and summer while plant material is used in the winter Considered a nuisance to farmers Eat corn and any different grains Usually doesn’t finish whole ear of corn before going to another one. This in turn waste corn very quickly Raccoon sign Crayfish leavings along shore Broken stalks, shredded husks, and kernals, spreaded along cornfields Hollow tree may have scat around entrance with scratches around hole May use a latrine area where copious quantities of scat are deposited Any of these elements may mean that you may have a family of raccoons living in the vicinity other… Raccoons are commonly associated with washing their food. Latin name lotor means “hand washer” Generally seen in raccoons in captivity This behavior believed to be replacement for the natural behavior of catching crayfish or other aquatic prey. Economic importance to humans Positive: Raccoon pelts have been harvested since colonial period. During 1920’s coon coats were popular making a pelt worth about 14$. Although demand is no longer high, raccoon pelts may still be sold as imitation mink, otter, or seal fur pets Economic cont. Negative: Nuisance to farmers Damage to orchards, vineyards, melon patches, cornfields, and peanut fields Move on to next ear of corn before finishing first. Costs farmers lots of money Many farmers let people come in and hunt the coons that cause problems to agricultural practices. Hunting is regulated by KDFWR. Tear up trash looking for food Eat pet food that is set out at night for pets Around the house Raccoons can be a problem when they become use to human interactions Come around houses to look for food. Sometime can be found inhabiting attics as a den Some things you can do to make your house coon proof Don’t feed the raccoons. They become tolerant to humans quickly and consider you a food source. Cover up all possible entries into home. Make sure all raccoons are out first. You can tell if a raccoon is in the area by sprinkling flour in the walkway of the opening. You need to check periodically to see if any activity had taken place. Hang ammonia soaked cotton balls around entries. Raccoons hate strong smells. Moth balls can help. Raccoons don’t like well lit areas. They prefer dark areas. So try a light up dark areas around the home like garbage bins. Raccoons as pets Pet raccoons are generally babies Caught in traps and raised as pets Very destructive as pets Can be tamed Pets cont. Albinism is not uncommon in raccoons. These are a popular choice but hard to come by Most in the wild are quickly preyed upon because of their easy to detect white coat Pets cont. Most pets are caught in the wild and are often babies that have been hurt or taken from the mother Some pets wonder into the house and are then captured Facts Raccoons that live in the wild may reach ages of 13-16. But normally only live 4-5 years. One captive raccoon once lived 21 years Males are bigger than females. They usually weigh from 12 to 30 pounds. One once was recorded to weigh 62lb Usually these animals are solitary, or a few share a den, but a Minnesota trapper entered an old cabin in the winter to behold 23 pairs of eyes staring back at him. Excellent night vision Can obtain speeds of 15 mph but normally scurry of when frightened They can drop 35 to 40 feet without serious harm Excellent swimmers which make them very adaptable to wetland conditions, but normally choose not to because of the added weight of a wet coat. The end. Thank you for your time.