Eco Postcard

The Raccoon a.k.a Your Backyard Bandit

Meet the raccoon! Or Procyon lotor! You've most likely seen this critter rummaging in your garbage can, crawling into the nearest storm drain, or stealing the cat food you set out for your local strays! As you might guess from the fuzzy fur covering it, it is a mammal and is roughly the same size as a heftier house cat; 4 - 23 pounds ("Raccoons").

Besides eating your leftover pizza from last night, raccoons are known to scavenge their food from water sources such as creeks, rivers and ponds, fishing out organisms such as crayfish, frogs and others. They also are known to feed on mice, insects, fruits, and other types of plants - which gives them the label of omnivore ("Raccoon"). Raccoons are nifty creatures when finding a place to settle. You may find them in places such as hollow areas of trees or logs on the ground - you may also hear them overhead at night, where they are making your attic their home ("Raccoons"). Within those homes, female raccoons can produce up to seven offspring in the spring, whom stay in their mother's settlement for around two months. Past their juvenile years, adult raccoons in the wild can live up to 2-3 years. During the winter, they can show patterns of hibernation, and will be found hiding and taking some prolonged naps within their homes (or what are often called 'dens') ("Raccoons").

As you might have noticed, the markings around the raccoon's eyes easily identifies it. This is what gives the raccoon the nickname "bandit" - as does their tendency to steal your trash. They also sport a fluffy, black-and-white striped tail! One other thing you might notice about these furry friends, are their front paws. These allow them to more easily access things, as they have a dexterity close to what we have. They use their paws to wash their food in water (it is more so to soften and remove debris) and be able to open things. (“Raccoon - Procyon Lotor").
If you've ever seen a raccoon in person, it was most likely during the later hours - why? They are nocturnal, meaning they usually are most active during the night time. Upon meeting them, you may hear a variety of sounds such as hissing, whistling, screaming, growling, or snarling. You may witness them walking or running around on the ground, but they can also be spotted climbing trees or swimming in water (“Raccoon - Procyon Lotor.”).

In the scheme of the local ecosystem, raccoons do play vital roles. As mentioned before, raccoons can be seen feasting upon fruit, meaning they end up being key seed dispersers for many plants! This can be a negative in a human's viewpoint, as a lot of these food sources can be in local farms and gardens. Unfortunate to raccoons but fortunate to the rhythm of nature, our little bandits can be a five-course-meal for wolves, owls, hawks, and coyotes - showcasing their place in the local food chain. They also have a role in microbiological ecosystems as they can carry trichinosis, rabies, leptospirosis, tularemia, and Chagas' disease - all brought on by micro and macroparasites (Brown).

Works Cited

Brown, Simon. Raccoon, www.sibr.com/mammals/M153.html.

“Raccoon.” National Geographic, National Geographic Partners, 21 Sept. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/r/raccoon/.

“Raccoon - Procyon Lotor.” NatureWorks, NHPBS, nhpbs.org/natureworks/raccoon.htm.

PHOTOS
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