The raccoon is a small furry animal that appears in many of the folk tales of the southern United States. Take this quiz and see what's behind the black mask of this cunning creature.
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Question 2 of 21
Where can the raccoon be found?
Europe
Northern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
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It is found in the Western Hemisphere, from the southern regions of Canada to Paraguay.
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Question 3 of 21
What is the most distinctive feature of the raccoon?
black "mask"
long bushy tail
black fur
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It has a ringed tail and black circles around its eyes, giving it the appearance of wearing a mask.
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Question 4 of 21
How long is the raccoon?
20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 cm)
25 to 30 inches (64 to 89 cm)
32 to 40 inches (81 to 101 cm)
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It ranges from 25 to 30 inches (64 to 89 cm) in length.
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Question 5 of 21
What is the weight of an adult raccoon?
60 pounds (27 kg)
50 pounds (22.7 kg)
40 pounds (18 kg)
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The common raccoon can weigh more than 40 pounds (18 kg).
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Question 6 of 21
What color is the guard hair of the fur?
shades of gray
yellowish brown
black
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The fur has long, coarse guard hair in varying shades of gray, with black tips.
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Question 7 of 21
What is unusual about its tail?
long and hairless
black rings
yellow stripes
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The short bushy tail is gray or yellowish and has black rings around it.
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Question 8 of 21
What makes a raccoon look bigger than it really is?
its upright stance
its broad shoulders
its thick fur
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It appears bigger than it is because of its thick fur.
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Question 9 of 21
In what respect are raccoons regarded as pests to farmers?
eat poultry, grain and fruit
scare the cows
chase household pets
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They eat poultry, grain and fruit, which tends to annoy farmers.
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Question 10 of 21
Is there any way they can be of benefit to a farmer?
naturally fertilize cabbage patches
keep the guard dogs alert
rid the farm of rats and mice
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They can help rid the farm of mice and rats.
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Question 11 of 21
How many young are there usually in a raccoon's litter?
one to three
three to six
six to eight
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In the spring a raccoon gives birth to a litter of three to six young.
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Question 12 of 21
What is the life expectancy of the raccoon?
10 to 12
12 to 14
15 to 17
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Raccoons live to be 10 to 12 years old.
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Question 13 of 21
What is a coon-skin cap?
It's a reference to the shape of the fur on a raccoon's head.
It refers to the way a raccoon strangles poultry before eating it.
It is a raccoon fur hat worn by the American pioneers.
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It was a hat made by American pioneers from the fur of a raccoon with the tail hanging down in the back.
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Question 14 of 21
Who is the worst enemy of the raccoon?
owls
hunters
coyotes
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Hunters and dogs are the worst enemies of the raccoon.
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Question 15 of 21
How can raccoons escape enemies they cannot outrun?
release a toxic odor
burrow under rocks
climb a tree
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Their sharp claws help them to be good tree climbers.
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Question 16 of 21
How is the crab-eating raccoon different from the North American raccoon?
They spend a lot of time in the water.
They don't climb trees.
Their tails have red and brown rings.
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Apart from eating crabs, the crab-eating raccoon is semi-aquatic, spending a lot of its time in the water.
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Question 17 of 21
There are small concentrations of raccoons in certain parts of Europe. How did they get there?
Raccoons are believed to have stowed away in crates of fruit shipped to Europe
Raccoons were taken to Europe to be put in zoos or to be bred for fur.
Some raccoons were trapped in trees that were shipped to European lumber mills.
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About 60 years ago raccoons were taken to Europe and Asia to be put in zoos or to be bred for fur. Some were released and some escaped.
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Question 18 of 21
How does a raccoon build a home?
It uses rocks and branches to fashion a shelter.
It burrows into the ground to create a den.
It looks for empty places to move into.
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The raccoon is not a builder. It looks for empty places in tree trunks, caves, attics, barns and sewers.
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Question 19 of 21
What is special about the forepaws of a raccoon?
The toes are long and act like fingers.
The toes have long sharp claws used for hunting and self defense
The raccoon walks on its toes
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The feet have long toes that resemble fingers, enabling the raccoon to hold things almost as well as a monkey.
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Question 20 of 21
Are raccoons fussy eaters?
They prefer grain, fruit or poultry.
They only eat fish or small animals
Not at all, they eat almost anything and are scavengers.
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Not really, they eat just about anything they hunt or find
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Question 21 of 21
How social are raccoons?
Raccoons always hunt in packs.
They are loners
The females are loners while the males hang out together.
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Most raccoons are loners. The male lives with a female only for the mating season and hits the road long before the female gives birth.
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