Exotic Raccoon Species Found Around the World

There are various types of raccoons in the world.  Each species is similar to each other, but different in their special ways, as their surrounding environment, climate, and diet influence their unique and identifying qualities. Continue reading to learn about the interesting types of raccoon species found all around the world.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
The Common Raccoon – Procyon Lotor

 The Common Raccoon (Procyon Lotor)

The most common North American raccoon is called the Common Raccoon, or scientifically, Procyon Lotor. North American raccoon colonies are found all throughout Canada and the United States. Their appearance is what most people would consider the typical raccoon stereotype. They have a black mask-like stripe across their eyes and a striped bushy tail. Their coat can vary in color, from fur tones of gray and tan, to dark browns and blacks.

Adults weight an average of 25 to 30 pounds, and grow to a height of 30 to 36 inches. They have black beady eyes, long claws, and dexterous paws. They are excellent climbers that partake in a diet of fruits, berries, small invertebrates, and insects. These raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and stay active at night. For shelter, raccoons use hollow trees, dens, attics, and any other small available spaces they can find. This is why they can be considered a nuisance in residential and commercial neighborhoods.

The Guadeloupe Raccoon

Another interesting species of raccoon is the Guadeloupe Raccoon. These raccoon colonies are found in small numbers throughout the island of Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles. They are smaller than the average raccoon, with dark grey fur. They are an endangered species, and only found on this island.  They live in the rain forests and often hunted by humans as food. Their diet consists of frogs, acorns, berries, crayfish, and other small invertebrates.

White-Nosed Coati Raccoon

The White-Nosed Coati species typically reside in moist, dense forests and wooded areas. Due to this preference of habitat, White-Nosed Coatis are primarily found in Arizona and New Mexico when 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 10 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, but share the same diet habits as they are also omnivores. They eat eggs, small vertebrates, insects, fruit, and more.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
The Crab-Eating Raccoon (Procyon Cancrivorus)

The Crab Eating Raccoon

There is a raccoon known in the central and south Americas called the Crab Eating Raccoon. It is called the Procyon Cancrivorus and it lives in marshes and jungles all throughout the region. They are recognized by their salt and pepper looking coats, a brown and grayish mix. They usually eat aquatic insects, crabs, crawfish, and small fish, hence the name Crab Eating Raccoon.

Ring-Tailed Raccoon

The Ring-Tailed Raccoon is more often called the Ring-Tailed Cat, even though it is not part of the feline family at all. This species of raccoon slightly resembles the common raccoon, but much smaller, weighing on average between 1 to 4 pounds. Ring Tails have long bushy tails that are longer than their own bodies and have black and white stripes. Their fur is short just like a cat. Also called ringtail cats, marv cats, and 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 omnivores just like the other raccoon species we’ve mentioned, however 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!

Louisville Raccoon Control Services

Call 502-553-7622 if you are experiencing raccoon problems in Louisville, Kentucky. We offer residential and commercial raccoon removal and control, as well as, raccoon-proofing and prevention, minor restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon cleanup, and much more. We may even be able to perform homeowners’ insurance claim work. Request a free estimate or advice, anytime. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Fundamental Raccoon Facts You Should Know

Out of all the mammals in the United States, raccoons are truly among the most fascinating. That is because there are so many traits that make raccoons interesting members of the animal kingdom. For instance, raccoons are incredibly intelligent, much like dogs, and just as curious and cute too! They can remember places they’ve been, figure out solutions to problems, learn tricks, and more! So if you don’t know much about raccoons, it will certainly please you to learn the fundamental facts surrounding this fascinating species. Continue reading to do just that!

Louisville Raccoon Removal 502-553-7622

Louisville Raccoon Removal 502-553-7622

The Common Raccoon

Species: Procyon lotor
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae
Genus: Procyon

Physical Characteristics

Raccoons are well-known for their ringed tails, long whiskers, and black fur around their eyes. They range in size and weight, but the average adult male will be between 2 to 3 feet tall and between 15 and 20 pounds. They have dexterous paws that are similar to human hands, which gives them the ability to grasp, pry, pull, and more. They also have long sharp claws that make them excellent climbers.

Diet and Habitat

Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat everything, including meat, vegetables, fruit, and nuts. Since they are opportunistic eaters, their specific diets depend on the region in which they live and the availability of food in their area. Raccoons commonly eat frogs, birds, rodents, snakes, insects, fruit, legumes, vegetables, and more. As for their homes, they make dens in hollowed trees, or find shelter in anything worthy, including residential structures like attics, porches, sheds, and more!

Reproduction

Male raccoons are called boars and females are called sows. Mating season is in late winter and early spring. Female gestation periods are around 65 days, and they generally give birth to 3 to 5 raccoon babies, called kits. Raccoon kits stay with their mother until they reach sexual maturity at around 6 months of age. Male raccoons do not have a role in raising their kits.

Nuisance Raccoons

Although raccoons are cute, innocent, and smart, they can be quite the nuisance when they end up near our homes and businesses. When this happens, raccoons can cause extensive damage, but they also pose health risks because they are known carriers of several infectious diseases. If you have raccoons on your property, contact a professional wildlife control company for safe and humane assistance. Raccoons should never be harmed or killed under any circumstances.

Louisville Raccoon Control

Call Louisville Raccoon Removal at 502-553-7622 for prompt and humane raccoon control service in Kentucky. Our friendly wildlife removal contractors are happy to answer questions, give advice, and manage your raccoon problems, anytime. Give us a call at 502-553-7622 to learn more about raccoon control in Louisville, KY today.