The raccoon, Procyon lotor, is a highly recognizable, medium-sized mammal known for its distinctive black facial mask and ringed tail. It is noted for its remarkable dexterity, possessing forepaws with five sensitive, hand-like digits. These physical traits, combined with intelligence, have allowed the raccoon to become one of the most successful and widespread carnivores in the Americas.
Continental Distribution
Raccoons are endemic to North and Central America, possessing the most extensive distribution of the Procyonidae family. Their native range stretches from southern Canada, covering the entire contiguous United States, and extending south through Mexico and Central America to Panama.
Historically, their presence was sparse in extreme environments, such as the high elevations of the Rocky Mountains and the arid expanses of the Great Basin desert regions. However, the species has successfully expanded into previously less-inhabited areas like the American Southwest. This range expansion often follows human activity, such as agricultural irrigation and increasing urbanization, which provides new, reliable sources of water and food.
Adaptability Across Diverse Environments
The raccoon is classified as a eurytopic species, meaning it can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. While their original habitats were predominantly deciduous and mixed forests, their greatest populations are often found near water sources, such as riparian areas, marshes, and coastlines. These moist environments, rich in aquatic invertebrates and amphibians, offer a consistent food supply.
The species’ success is dictated not by a specific climate but by the consistent availability of food, water, and shelter. This opportunistic approach has allowed them to colonize areas far beyond traditional forests, including suburban neighborhoods and dense urban centers. In urban settings, raccoons exploit human-created resources, viewing garbage bins and pet food left outdoors as a reliable food source.
This shift to urban living has begun to influence the species’ physical traits, a phenomenon scientists refer to as incipient domestication syndrome. Studies comparing urban and rural populations note that raccoons living near humans tend to have slightly shorter snouts. This subtle morphological change is thought to be advantageous for accessing stationary food patches like trash, suggesting an evolutionary response to their new environment.
Shelter and Den Selection
Raccoons select their shelter, or den, based on the need for security, protection from the elements, and proximity to foraging grounds. In natural settings, they utilize existing structures rather than constructing their own, favoring hollowed-out trees, particularly large specimens with high cavities. Other natural den sites include rock crevices, brush piles, and abandoned burrows dug by other animals.
In urban and suburban environments, raccoons readily substitute natural dens with human-made structures. Attics and chimneys are highly sought after for their warmth and seclusion, especially during cold weather or when a female is preparing a maternal den. Spaces beneath porches, decks, and sheds also provide secure, dry resting spots.
Raccoons maintain several dens within their home range, rotating between these temporary resting spots every few days to avoid attracting predators or parasites. A female with young kits, however, will choose one secure maternal den and remain there for several months until the young are mobile. This need for safety and insulation makes residential structures attractive, high-quality options for raising a family.