MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI 14:1–5 Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor) David W. Carraway Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA Abstract.—Procyon lotor Linnaeus, 1758, is a procyonid commonly called raccoon, common raccoon, northern raccoon, North American raccoon or, colloquially, coon. Characterized by its black facial mask and ringed tail, it is the most widespread of the three species in the genus Procyon. The range for P. lotor extents from Canada to Panama and includes some coastal islands; additionally, it has been introduced in several European and Asian Countries. Highly intelligent and dexterous, it can live anywhere that water is available and since human encroachment it has actually seen an increase in range. It is not of special conservation concern and is probably the most common furbearer in the southeastern United States. Published 05 December 2008 by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University. Northern Raccoon 1943), P. l. pacificus (Merriam 1899), P. l. Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758) pallidus (Merriam 1900), P. l. psora (Gray 1842), P. l. pumilus (Miller 1911), P. l. CONTEXT AND CONTENT. Order simus (Gidley 1906), and P. l. Carnivora, suborder Caniformia, family vancouverensis (Nelson and Goldman Procyonidae. The family Procyonidae 1930). consists of 6 genera: Bassaricyon, Bassariscus, Nasua, Nasuella, Potos, and GENERAL CHARACTERS Procyon. Members of Procyon are P. A black facial mask and a tail Cancrivorus, P. lotor, and P. pygmaeus. exhibiting black rings are distinguishing Currently, 22 subspecies are recognized physical features (Fig. 1). Pelage varies within P. lotor including: P. l. lotor from iron gray to black and may exhibit a (Linnaeus 1758), P. l. auspicatus (Nelson brown or red tinge. Albinism is known to 1930), P. l. elucus (Bangs 1898), P. l. occur. Male and female measurements for excelsus (Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l. raccoons occurring in Alabama follow (in fuscipes (Mearns 1914), P. l. gloveralleni cm): zygomatic breadth 7 to 8, 6 to 7; total (Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l. grinnelli length 64 to 81, 66 to 78; tail length 19 to (Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l. 28, 20 to 27; hind foot length (excluding hernandezii (Wagler 1831), P. l. hirtus claw) 9 to 11, 8 to 11 and ear length (from (Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l. incautus notch) 5 to 7, 4 to 7 (Johnson 1970). (Nelson 1930), P. l. inesperatus (Nelson However, greater measurement variation is 1930), P. l. insularis (Merriam 1898), P. l. known to occur throughout the range (Hall litoreus (Nelson and Goldman 1930), P. l. and Kelson 1959). Fig. 2 depicts the skull. marinus (Nelson 1930), P. l. maynardi Feet bear 5 digits and possess no webbing (Bangs 1898), P. l. megalodous (Lowery between digits. In Alabama, males average Procyon lotor MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI 2 4.309 kilograms and females average 3.674 United States, it occurs throughout the state kilograms (Johnson 1970). However, of Mississippi. weight varies widely and is correlated with distribution and seasons. Gait ranges from semiplantigrade to plantigrade. Fig. 3. Distribution of Procyon lotor. Red depicts native range; blue depicts Introduced range. Image composition was derived from various sources. Image use is authorized under GFDL licenses. FORM AND FUNCTION Molt occurs annually during the summer months (Goldman 1950). An omnivorous lifestyle is facilitated by an adult dental formula of i 3/3, c 1/1, p 4/4, and m 2/2, total 40. However, the first premolars may be absent (Goldman 1913). In Alabama, a mature bacula is developed at Fig. 1. Adult Procyon lotor photographed in Hinds County, approximately 15 months of age (Johnson Mississippi, September 2008. Photo courtesy of the author. 1970). Hibernation is not practiced; Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. although, very cold weather may stimulate an extended stay in a den (Schneider et al. 1971). Summer and fall fat accumulation helps provide an energy source during the winter months (Mech et al. 1968). During cold weather heart rates increase (Folk et al. 1968). ONTOGENY AND REPRODUCTION In Alabama, the average conception date occurs in mid April; subsequently, the Fig. 2. Skull of mature Procyon lotor. Photo courtesy of the average birth date occurs in mid June author. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. (Johnson 1970). Contributions from those less than a year old to the overall productivity of a population are relatively DISTRIBUTION insignificant (Johnson 1970). Late-born survival may be relatively low (Mech et al. Range (Fig. 3) extents from Canada 1968). After the gestation period, to Panama and includes some coastal approximately 63 days, typically 2 to 5 islands. Additionally, P. lotor has been young are born. Female raccoons are introduced in several European and Asian responsible for the rearing of young Countries. Common in the southeastern (Schneider et al. 1971). Weaning occurs Procyon lotor MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI 3 between week 7 and 4 months of age Diet.—Raccoons are nocturnal (Montgomery 1969). Though longevity may omnivores. In Alabama, berries, nuts, seeds, range from 13 to 16 years, the average and arthropods are the most important food lifespan in the wild in Alabama is 3.1 years sources (Johnson 1970). During the winter, (Johnson 1970). diets primarily consist of hard mast; however, during the spring and summer ECOLOGY diets primarily consist of soft mass (Johnson 1970). In agricultural landscapes, crops or Population characteristics.— food sources associated with crops (e.g. Raccoons are ecological generalists, which insects) act as the raccoons’ primary food occupy diverse habitats in diverse source (Rivest and Bergeron 1981). landscapes (Chamberlain et al. 2002). Diseases and Parasites.—Raccoons Population density varies widely. Food are an indicator species for the monitoring shortage, hunting, disease, parasites, and of disease and pollutants (Bigler et al. 1975). physiological stress (due to high density) are Zoonotic diseases are a concern in the causes of mortality. Juvenile mortality southeastern United States where raccoons rarely occurs during the summer or fall; are known to carry 13 pathogens harmful to however, during the winter, mortality may humans (Bigler et al. 1975). The United increase (Johnson 1970). Typically, the States Department of Agriculture, through ratio of males to females at birth is equal Wildlife Services, administers an oral rabies (Stains 1956). Typical litters of 1.9 to 5 vaccination (ORV) program in an attempt to young disperse at approximately 9 months control rabies in raccoons through the use of of age (Sharp and Sharp 1956). vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein (V-RG) baits Space use.—Raccoons select den (Boulanger 2008). The biggest threat of sites such as tree rest sites, tree cavities, rabies to Mississippi may be from the brush piles, ground dens, and abandoned movement of a southeastern strain of rabies structures based partially on the availability into the state from Alabama via raccoons of food and water resources (Henner et al. (Elchos 2004). Periodically, extensive 2004). Crop fields, roads, and macrohabitat mortality occurs as a result of respiratory edges often coincide with preferred den sites infections commonly due to canine (Henner et al. 2004). In Mississippi, distemper (Johnson 1970). In Alabama, a females generally utilize tree cavities during total of 19 species of endo-parasites and 11 the young-rearing periods (spring and species of ecto-parasites are known to summer). However, males typically utilize adversely impact raccoon populations ground dens and brush piles during this time (Johnson 1970). period (Henner et al. 2004). Due to Interspecific interactions.—During parturition and rearing responsibilities the breeding season, raccoons typically females are more constrained than males in select cavities that are high off the ground, terms of resource needs (Beasley and presumably as increased protection from Rhodes 2008). Males prefer den sites coyotes and bobcats (Wilson and Nielsen associated with lakes and ponds. Females 2007). Damages caused by raccoons prefer den sites near crop fields (Henner et generally only occur in areas of al. 2004). Raccoons may actually avoid overpopulation (Johnson 1970). Even a hazardous areas such as roads when foraging small reduction in large raccoon populations (Wilson and Nielsen 2007). Long-range could substantially reduce damage in movement is known to occur. agricultural crops such as corn (Beasley and Procyon lotor MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI 4 Rhodes 2008). Hunting, which is generally LITERATURE CITED the only acceptable control method in this scenario, should be encouraged in such areas Beasley, J. C., and O. E. Rhodes Jr. 2008. (Johnson 1970). Relationship between raccoon abundance and crop damage. BEHAVIOR Human–Wildlife Conflicts 2:248— 259. Males may be territorial in regard to Bigler, W. J., J. H. Jenkins, P.M. Cumbie, other males; however, females are not G. L.Hoff and E. C. Prather. 1975. territorial (Fritzell 1978). Typically, Wildlife and environmental health: raccoons are most active on warm, rainy Raccoons as indicators of zoonoses nights (Johnson 1970). Those who have and pollutants in southeastern United used dogs to study raccoons suggest that States. Journal of the American they have excellent memories and learning Veterinary Medical Association abilities and actually plan escape routes and 167:592—597. techniques (Johnson 1970). Boulanger, J. R., L. L. Bigler, P. D. Curtis, D. H. Lein, and A. J. Lembo Jr. GENETICS 2008. Evaluation of an oral vaccination program to control Apparently chromosome numbers raccoon rabies in a suburbanized are polymorphic (Lotze and Anderson landscape. Human–Wildlife 1979). Albinism is known to occur. Conflicts 2:212—224. Chamberlain, M. J., L. M. Conner, and B. D. CONSERVATION Leopold. 2002. Seasonal habitat selection by raccoons (Procyon Economic return from raccoons is lotor) in intensively managed pine significant. In 1966, the United States forests of central Mississippi. The Department of Commerce estimated that 1 American Midland Naturalist. to 2 million raccoons were harvested yearly 147:102–108. for their pelt and meat. In Mississippi, Elchos, B.