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Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoon Basics: 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.

A Particular Eater: 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.

Super-Touch: The raccoon's sense of touch is its most important sense. More of its brain is set aside for the intepretation of touch than any other animal.

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MORE RACCOON

FACTS: More Raccoon Facts

WALLPAPER: Raccoon Wallpaper

DID YOU KNOW?

A Brainy Beast: One study suggests that raccoons are as quick to learn as rhesus macaques. Others show that they can retain the solution to a once-learned problem for up to three years.

Solitary or Social?: Once considered solitary, it is now known that raccoons share common meeting grounds and form loose social groups.