This nocturnal and primarily solitary mammal spends its days sleeping in hollow trees, wedged between branches or, especially in cold weather, in a burrow.
An omnivore, it eats both plant parts and animals, such as fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.
It was once thought that raccoons washed their food — the scientific name lotor means "washer."
It is now known that they are pulling food apart to remove inedible bits.
The common name derives from the Algonquin word aroughcoune, meaning "he scratches with his hands."
Ready for the next mammal? Check out the Red Fox.
Back to Temperate Forest — Overview.