The raccoon has long been recognized as a favorite object of chase by houndsmen throughout Mississippi. With its remarkable physical stamina and ability to defend itself, the raccoon provides exciting sport for coon hunters and their dogs.
Raccoons are easily recognized by their black nose and black mask which surrounds the eyes, contrasting their white face. They are also known for their dexterous front paws. Body color is usually gray to blackish, darker on the back and gradually turning lighter towards the underside. The unmistakable tail is usually 7 to 12 inches in length and ringed with 5 to 7 black rings, always terminating in black. Weights of adult raccoons range from 9 to 30 pounds, and occasionally more.
Raccoons can be found in all of the continental 48 states, lower portions of Canada, and all of Central America. They prefer tracts of bottomland hardwoods with ample den trees but can also be found in bottomland swamps, upland woods, and small wooded tracts which are surrounded by farmlands that consist of small grain crops.
Raccoons are seldom found far from a permanent source of water. Water is probably the single most important influence upon distribution of raccoons.
Mostly nocturnal animals, the raccoon spends most of their daylight hours sleeping in the den. As evening draws near, they can be found away from their den sites scavenging for food under the cover of darkness.
Omnivorous, raccoons are opportunistic feeders with their diets determined heavily by their environment. Plant foods include wild fruits and berries, acorns, and other nuts, corn, and garden vegetables. Animal foods include crayfish, insects, grubs, earthworms, fish, mussels, snakes, eggs of birds and turtles, and occasionally other small mammals.
Mating season for raccoons occurs between December and June, with peak breeding activity taking place in February and March. Litters are generally born in April or May with late litters appearing from June through August. Females produce one litter of 1 to 7 young per year.
The young are born in a den which is usually in a hollow tree, a cavity beneath old tree roots, or an old abandoned underground den. The young will leave the den when they are approximately 10 weeks old and begin foraging with their mother. They are completely weaned at the age of 12 to 14 weeks.
A dual cooling system is used to regulate the temperature of raccoons, that is they are able to both sweat and pant for heat dissipation. The most important sense for the raccoon is the sense of touch as their hyper-sensitive, dexterous front paws are protected by a thin, horny layer that becomes pliable when wet.
Raccoons have few natural predators. In the wild, a raccoon has a life expectancy of 2 to 3 years, but in captivity a raccoon can live up to 20 years. Human activities such as trapping, hunting, and collisions with automobiles are the chief causes of mortality in raccoons. Distemper can also have a tremendous impact on populations.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their website is www.wildlifemiss.org.
