Basic Facts Surrounding the Common Raccoon

Raccoons are clever critters, often studied for this in captive settings.  They are remarkably bright and resourceful in nature as well.  There are a lot of interesting facts about raccoons, but before indulging in these, it is good to have an understanding of what the raccoon species is all about.

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605
Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Physical Description

Raccoons, scientifically Procyon Lotor, are medium-sized mammals with a gray coat of fur and a long striped tail.  They are often seen with a black stretch of fur directly over their eyes, giving them the look of wearing a bandit’s mask; hence the nickname, little bandits.  They usually weigh anywhere from 8 to 20 pounds, and stands at 1 to 2 feet, on its hind legs.  This is at full adult size. 

Raccoons are also known as “little bandits” due to their curiosity and cleverness in residential areas.  They can snoop and tear through garbage cans and dumpsters looking for food, in the middle of the night, and never get caught.  People in these communities wake up to a huge mess in their lawn or drive-way!  This is what most people think of when you mention the word, raccoon.

Reproduction

Female raccoons give birth to litters of baby raccoons called “kits”.  Their gestation period ranges from a few months, or 65 days.  They usually have anywhere from 2 to 5 kits per litter.  After about nine weeks, the kits can eat solid food and even leave the den to explore.  They are eventually weaned completely by 16 weeks or so.  The mother shows them feeding grounds and dens, and the adolescent raccoons then split up and head off on their own. 

Diet

For food, they will eat almost anything.  They are by far one of the most interesting omnivores known to man.  In certain times, they will munch on insects and worms, but will also eat fruits and nuts in other seasons.  They are even known to indulge in certain vertebrates like fish and frogs.  This diet is good for them, and must be, because raccoons have been known to also live a long time. 

Life Expectancy

In captive, raccoons can live past 20 years of age!  However, in nature, there are more dangers and threats that affect the life span of a raccoon.  In the wild, raccoons only live on average 1 to 3 years.  They are in constant threat of predators, destroyed habitats, loss of food sources, and more. 

Nuisance Raccoons

Raccoons are highly intelligent and ambitious mammals with dexterous paws. These traits makes it easy for raccoons to access our properties and generate a long list of possible damages. A big-time attraction for all raccoons is food, so trash cans are common targets. If you know raccoons are a problem in your neighborhood, it is wise to take certain preventative measures to keep raccoons away from trash cans, as well as, all other areas of your property.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in Indianapolis

Call 317-535-4605 for 24 hour raccoon removal in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists that offer a wide range of safe, non-lethal raccoon removal services and attic restorations. Request a free estimate, today.

The Three Extant Species of Raccoon

There are 3 different types of raccoon species in the Procyon genus. Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about each one, including what you can do to help abate nuisance raccoon activity around your home.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605
Crab-Eating Raccoons

Existing Raccoon Species Currently in the Procyon Genus:

🦝 The Common Raccoon

Scientific Name: Procyon lotor
Additional Names: Northern Raccoon and Raccoon

Common raccoons have a broad range, scoping from southern Canada to Panama, and everywhere in between. Descriptively, they are a medium-sized mammal with gray fur and a long, ring-striped tail.  They are often seen with a black stretch of fur directly over their eyes, giving them the look of wearing a vigilante mask. At full maturity, raccoons can weigh anywhere from 8 to 20 pounds, and stand 1 to 2 feet on their hind legs.

🦀 The Crab-Eating Raccoon

Scientific Name: Procyon cancrivorus
Additional Names: South American Raccoo

The Crab-eating raccoon is native to the Southern continental regions, in Costa Rica and throughout South America. Their scope is also known to range east of the Andes, all the way down to northern Argentina and even Uruguay. Their diets primarily consist of crab, lobster, crayfish and other crustaceans and shellfish, hence the name. Compared to the Common raccoon, they are similar in size, but have shorter fur and long, slender snouts.

🐺 The Cozumel Raccoon

Scientific Name: Procyon pygmaeus
Additional Names: Pygmy Raccoon, Dwarf Raccoon, Cozumel Island Raccoon, and Cozumel Raccoon Bear            

The Cozumel raccoon is unfortunately a critically-endangered species. They are native to Cozumel Island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico where there is currently an island raccoon endemic. The Cozumel raccoon is remarkably smaller than both the other Procyon species. At full maturity, they reach an average of 10 inches tall and 9 pounds in weight. Males are typically heavier than females by 20 percent or more.

Nuisance Raccoon Problems

Although it is important to respect and preserve our local wildlife, it is not necessary to allow them onto our properties. If you are experiencing nuisance raccoon activity around your house or commercial building, it is wise to outsource some professional intervention. Contact a local Indianapolis raccoon control company for safe and humane, non-lethal raccoon abatement services you can trust.

Get a Free Quote for Raccoon Control Today!

Call 317-535-4605 for professional raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We are DNR licensed and insured wildlife control specialists that offer a wide range of affordable animal removal services for commercial and residential properties. Call 317-535-4605 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis raccoon control, today.

Common Raccoon Species in North America

Anyone can tell a raccoon from a frog or bear or rabbit; but what about identifying the distinctions between a Ring-Tailed Raccoon and a Procyon Lotor? The truth is that there are several different species of raccoon in America. It is fun learning the different and distinguishing qualities of each class and kind. Continue reading to learn about a few common raccoon species found in North America; including the ones we have just mentioned!

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

The Common Raccoon (Procyon Lotor)

Procyon Lotor is the scientific name for the common raccoon. Other appellations include Northern Raccoon, North American Raccoon, Common Raccoon; and colloquially as “coon”. They are a medium-sized mammal mostly recognizable by the black mask-like stripe across their eyes and face. This characteristic is mostly associated with the common raccoon. Although other species of raccoon have this similar feature, it is mostly identified with the typical raccoon species one would expect to find in North America.

Other characteristics of the Procyon Lotor include a striped tail, a body weight anywhere from eight to twenty pounds, an omnivorous diet, and agile front paws. They are intelligent critters that usually live in forested or deciduous habitats; however, due to over-construction and land developments, raccoons are calling residential and commercial neighborhoods their homes these days. This reputation has given this species of raccoon a label as a nuisance.

White-Nosed Coati Raccoon

White-Nosed Coati

White-Nosed Coati

The White-Nosed Coati species of raccoon is quite interesting. They appear much different than the common Procyon Lotor, and typically reside in moister forests and wooded areas. Due to this preference of habitat, White-Nosed Coatis are primarily found in Arizona and New Mexico; in the Americas. They have relative species in Costa Rica, Columbia, Mexico, and Cozumel as well. They are smaller in size to the common raccoon by as much as ten pounds. Their faces are marked with white fur on their nose at the tip of a very long snout. Their fur is less dense and shorter than a common North American raccoon. Although quite different from the common “coon”, White-Nosed Coatis share the same diet habits because they are also omnivores. They eat eggs, small vertebrates, insects, fruit, and more; just as the Procyon Lotor.

Ring-Tailed Raccoon

The Ring-Tailed Raccoon is actually called the Ring-Tailed Cat even though it is not a cat at all. This species of raccoon slightly resembles the common raccoon, however, there are still several differences. For example, the Ring-Tailed Raccoon is much smaller, weighing on average between one to four pounds. Ring Tails have long bushy tails, longer than their own bodies, with black and white stripes; but their fur is short like a cat’s coat.

Also called ringtail cats, marv cats, or miners cats, Ring-Tailed Raccoons are commonly found living in Colorado, California, Kansas, Nevada, Oregon, and even New Mexico with their cousin the Coati. They are also omnivores just like the other raccoon species we’ve mentioned, but they are also one of the most carnivorous species of raccoon in the world. They eat small birds, frogs, snakes, rats, mice, and even rabbits! This is an amazing feat considering their size. Ringtail ‘coons are also nocturnal, just like all other raccoon species in North America.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Call 317-535-4605 for Indianapolis raccoon control services you can trust. We are DNR licensed and insured nuisance wildlife removal contractors who offer a wide range of raccoon removal and control services, including raccoon cleanup, raccoon proofing, minor restorations for raccoon damages, and more. Call 317-535-4605 to request a free estimate or emergency service, today.