The raccoon, often recognized by its masked face and ringed tail, is most famous for the remarkable dexterity of its front paws. This ability to manipulate objects and thrive in diverse environments is directly linked to the unique anatomy of its limbs. People frequently compare their forepaws to human hands, as they are capable of intricate movements that allow them to grasp, turn, and investigate the world through touch. This physical structure has made the raccoon one of the most successful and widespread omnivores across North and Central America.
Counting the Digits
Raccoons possess five digits on each paw. This means a raccoon has five toes on each of its four paws, totaling twenty toes in all. The biological term for having five digits is “pentadactyl,” a trait shared with humans and many other vertebrates. While the number of digits is consistent, the function and appearance of the front and hind paws differ significantly, with the front paws being highly specialized for manipulation.
Paws Built for Gripping and Climbing
The raccoon’s locomotion is classified as plantigrade, meaning it walks with the entire sole of its foot flat on the ground. The hind paws are longer and more robust than the front paws, built primarily for weight support and propulsion.
In contrast, the front paws feature long, slender, and highly flexible digits that lack the webbing found in some aquatic mammals. These digits are equipped with non-retractable claws that aid in climbing and tearing apart food items. The front paws allow the animal to precisely handle objects, though they lack the opposable thumb necessary for complete grasping.
When climbing, the raccoon is capable of rotating its hind paws nearly 180 degrees, allowing it to descend head-first with a secure grip.
The Biological Basis of Raccoon Dexterity
The true secret to the raccoon’s skill lies not just in the structure of its paws, but in its sophisticated sense of touch, or somatosensory perception. The hairless pads of the front paws contain an extremely high density of sensory receptors, which are nerve endings that respond to mechanical pressure. This concentration of receptors makes the raccoon’s forepaws extraordinarily sensitive, effectively allowing the animal to “see” with its hands, especially in the dark.
The neurological architecture supporting this ability is equally remarkable. The area of the raccoon’s brain dedicated to processing tactile information from the front paws is disproportionately large compared to the rest of its body. This expansive somatosensory cortex explains the animal’s reliance on touch to navigate and identify food.
Studies have shown that wetting the paws dramatically increases the responsiveness of these nerve endings, which is the biological explanation for the common behavior of dousing food in water. The so-called “washing” behavior, which gave the animal its scientific name Procyon lotor (washing bear), is not about cleaning but about enhancing tactile sensitivity to gain more information about a potential meal.