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Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples

 
Ameera Mills
By Ameera Mills. July 14, 2019
Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples

This world is made up of a variety of animals which each carry incredibly unique characteristics. There are, however, many animal species that resemble each other and are easily confused. The raccoon, for example, is among these animal species that are often confused with their ‘‘distant cousins.’’

For more about raccoon-like animals and the raccoon family tree, keep reading here at AnimalWised. In addition to general raccoon facts, we’ll also be discovering raccoon characteristics and more!

You may also be interested in: Animals with Exoskeleton - Names and Examples

Raccoon family

Raccoons, or racoon, are native to America, but there are be some populations that live in Europe and Asia as an invasive species. The incredibly adaptive animals inhabit forests close to rivers and/or suburban and urban areas with abundant food. Raccoons are omnivorous animals and a raccoon's diet generally consists of frogs, fruits, plants, insects, eggs of birds and crocodiles.

As for appearance, the raccoon measures roughly 60 cm in height and weighs between 15 to 20 kg. Its coat is silver on almost all of its body, except for its tail. The characteristic raccoon tail is unique for the black rings that circle it. A raccoon’s face has black mantle spots around each eye, giving it a ‘Zoro-like’ mask appearance.

Raccoon characteristics

Raccoons are solitary and nocturnal animals. Females only look for partnership during mating season. The gestation period of the raccoon species is roughly 73 days, and a female can give birth to up to four cubs.

Raccoon fun fact: the raccoon family and bear family are closely related.

Despite a raccoon’s tender appearance and quiet behavior, they are not pets. For more, we recommend reading our article where we discuss raccoons as pets: guidelines and tips.

Types of raccoons

There are three species of raccoon and several raccoon subspecies, each recognized for their own individual characteristics. The three main raccoon species include; the common raccoon (P.lotor), the tropical crab-eating raccoon (P.cancrivorus) and the less common Cozumel raccoon (P.Pygmaeus).

Keep reading to discover more about the Procyonidae of the order Carnivora, i.e: raccoon family.

Crab-eating raccoon

The crab-eating raccoon, also known as the South American raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus), is a species native to the jungle environments of Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. This raccoon type measures roughly 70 cm in length and can weigh up to 15 kg. This solitary animal is a great climber that feeds on crabs, shrimp and fish. These raccoons prefers to inhabit refuges in tree hollows, cracks in rocks and/or abandoned buildings.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Crab-eating raccoon

Common raccoon

The common raccoon, also referred to as the spelled racoon, (Procyon lotor) can be found in in Panama, the United States and Canada. This raccoon type can live up to 20 years in captivity and an average of 12 years in their natural habitat. One of the main threats to the common raccoon is indiscriminate hunting. In addition, due to the fact that this raccoon species deviate from their natural habitat to human populations, they are often killed in road accidents.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Common raccoon

Guadalupe raccoon

The Guadaloupe raccoon (Procyon lotor minor) is endemic to the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean Sea. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this species is in danger of extinction and currently classified it as "Endangered". Its main threat is hunting and the deterioration of its habitat.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Guadalupe raccoon

Tres Marias raccoon

The Tres Marias raccoon (Procyon lotor insularis), is native to the archipelago of the Islas Marías, located in the Pacific Ocean. This raccoon subspecies is characterized by its brown coat, contrasting the normal grey raccoon.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Tres Marias raccoon
Image: www.naturalista.mx

Cozumel raccoon

The Cozumel raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus) is endemic to the island of Cozumel, off the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). This specimen differs a bit from other raccoon species. First of all, it is much smaller than other raccoon species, weighing only 4 kgs. Additionally, the Cozumel raccoon has a black band running from each cheek to each eye, as well as a unique golden tail. According to the IUCN, this species is classified as "Critically Endangered."

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Cozumel raccoon

Animals that look like raccoons

Despite not being related, there are also some animals that greatly resemble raccoons. For more about raccoon look alike animals, keep reading below:

South American Coati

The coati (Nasua nasua) is an omnivorous mammal from the United States, Argentina and Paraguay. The South American coati can reach roughly 140 cm in length and its long tail is often the same length as its body. Its extremities are short, except for its elongated snout and large eyes.

These social animals, unlike the solitary raccoon, live in communities of between 5 to 20 individuals.

For more, we recommend reading our article where we discuss everything you need to know about coatis as pets.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - South American Coati

Red Panda

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens), native to southwestern China and eastern Himalayas, measures roughly 60 cm in length and weighs a scant 5 kgs. This raccoon-like animal feeds mainly on bamboo, plants, fruits, eggs, birds and lizards. Its reddish-brown body is soft to the touch and it’s easily recognizable by the white spots on its face.

Because of the loss of its habitat, disappearance of food sources, indiscriminate hunting and deforestation, this species is currently classified as "Vulnerable" according to the IUCN Red List.

For more, we recommend reading our article where we list 5 fun facts about the red panda.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Red Panda

Kinkajou

The kinkajou (Potos flavus) is a mammal native to the jungles of Central and South America. This tropical rainforest mammal stands out for its prominent tail, which it uses to climb and swing on branches of trees. Its elongated and muscular body reaches 58 cm in length. Its dense and short fur can vary in color, however, chestnut and yellow are the most common. Kinkajous feed on flowers, herbs, bird eggs, insects and honey.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Kinkajou
Image: animals.sandiegozoo.org

Ring-tailed cat

The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) is a mammal native to the rocky or tree-full areas of North America. This raccoon family member generally reaches 40 cm in length and only weighs 1.5 kg. Its fur color can vary from yellowish-gray to dark brown, however, its tail is always ringed.

This nocturnal and solitary species feeds mainly on fruits, plants, insects, lizards and small birds.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Ring-tailed cat

Olinguito

The olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina) lives among the humid zones of Colombia and Ecuador. This raccoon lookalike feeds on insects, fruits and plants and is characterized by its dark, brown and black tones. This solitary jumping species generally measures 35 cm in length and weighs 900 grams.

Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples - Olinguito

If you want to read similar articles to Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.

Bibliography
  • Reid, F., Helgen, K. & González-Maya, J.F. 2016. Procyon cancrivorus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41685A45216426. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41685A45216426.en. Downloaded on 12 July 2019.
  • Timm, R., Cuarón, A.D., Reid, F., Helgen, K. & González-Maya, J.F. 2016. Procyon lotor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41686A45216638. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41686A45216638.en. Downloaded on 12 July 2019.
  • Emmons, L. & Helgen, K. 2016. Nasua nasua. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41684A45216227. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41684A45216227.en. Downloaded on 12 July 2019.
  • Glatston, A., Wei, F., Than Zaw & Sherpa, A. 2015. Ailurus fulgens (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T714A110023718. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T714A45195924.en. Downloaded on 12 July 2019.
  • Helgen, K., Kays, R. & Schipper, J. 2016. Potos flavus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41679A45215631. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41679A45215631.en. Downloaded on 12 July 2019.
  • Helgen, K., Kays, R., Pinto, C., Schipper, J. & González-Maya, J.F. 2016. Bassaricyon neblina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T48637280A48637420. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T48637280A48637420.en. Downloaded on 12 July 2019.

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Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples
Image: www.naturalista.mx
Image: animals.sandiegozoo.org
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Raccoon-like Animals - Names and Examples

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