Raccoon

A mostly nocturnal omnivore common near water, woods and settlements.

Field guide

A mostly nocturnal omnivore common near water, woods and settlements.

Identification

Shared features

Gray fur, black facial mask, ringed tail and dexterous forepaws.

Male

Both sexes have a black mask, ringed tail and gray coat. Adult males tend to be heavier and broader-headed, but size and color overlap too much for reliable visual sexing.

Female

Females share the same mask and ringed tail and may be seen with kits. A lone animal cannot reliably be sexed from its coat or face alone.

Habitat

Stream corridors, mixed woods, farms and urban green spaces with den sites.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn, look for tracks in mud and routes back to hollow trees or other dens.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, raccoons usually rest in a tree cavity or sheltered den.

Evening

At dusk, watch waterside paths and woodland edges as foraging begins.

Sounds

Chitters, growls, purrs and squeals, especially among young animals.

Recorded calls

Raccoon calls

Field recording of a raccoon. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

bcs_mass · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

-No bag limit or possession limit.

Official bag-limit source