Raccoon Facts: Habitat, Diet, Size and Hunting Season Verified
“RACCOON Range: All over North America. Florida to Minnesota and everywhere in between. Habitat: Anywhere there's food. Timber, creek banks, farm fields, your attic, your trash can. Diet: Whatever they can get their hands on. Acorns, corn, crawfish, eggs, garbage, and your cat's food if you leave it on the porch. Average Size: 8 to 12 pounds in Mississippi. Up to 30 up north where the winters are hard. Season: Fall and winter for fur. Year-round for nuisance removal in Mississippi. Method: DP traps baited with dry cat food, sugary cereal, and restaurant grease. Cage traps for attic work.”
Summary
Raccoons are found across North America, from the Gulf Coast to the northern United States, and live in both natural settings near water and urban areas where food is abundant. Their weight ranges from about 12 lb to over 30 lb in northern regions, matching the claim of larger northern individuals, though a specific 8‑12 lb average for Mississippi is not documented. The statements about seasonal fur harvesting and the exact trap baits are not addressed by the sources and therefore cannot be confirmed.
Sources 59 searched
- Learn about raccoons | Mass.gov
The raccoon, a medium-sized mammal, is easily recognizable, with a bushy tail with alternating black and gray rings, a black face mask outlined in white, and a distinctive humped posture. Raccoons can vary in weight from 12 to 36 pounds, with some exceptionally large individuals reaching 50 pounds.
- Learn about raccoons | Mass.gov
The raccoon, a medium-sized mammal, is easily recognizable, with a bushy tail with alternating black and gray rings, a black face mask outlined in white, and a distinctive humped posture. Raccoons can vary in weight from 12 to 36 pounds, with some exceptionally large individuals reaching 50 pounds.
- Raccoon | Missouri Department of Conservation
Total length: 21½–38 inches; tail length: 5–12 inches; weight: 6–25 pounds. ... Common throughout the state. Raccoons prefer timbered habitat near water. They also may be found in urban and suburban areas.
- Racoon (U.S. National Park Service)
... Scientific Name: Procyon lotor Distribution/Habitat: Common throughout North America from Canada to Panama, and they live in tree cavities or burrows. Average Size: Average length 23.75 to 37.5 inches, average weight 15-40 pounds Average ...
- Raccoon North Carolina Wildlife Profiles
Whitaker Jr., J. O., and W. J. Hamilton, Jr. 1998. Mammals of the Eastern United · States. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, USA. ... Length: 1 1/2–3 1/2 ft. Height: 12 in. at the shoulder · Weight: 8–25 lbs.; average is 15 lbs.
- Raccoon | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
The raccoon is a native mammal, measuring about 3 feet long, including its 12-inch, bushy, ringed tail. Because their hind legs are longer than the front legs, raccoons have a hunched appearance when they walk or run.
- Raccoon Nation ~ Raccoon Facts | Nature | PBS
It averages 24 to 38 inches in length and can weigh between 14 to 23 lbs., or more, depending upon habitat and available food. The male raccoon, or boar, is slightly larger than the female, also referred to as sow.
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor) | Minnesota Mammals | University of Minnesota Duluth
Body weight averaged 15 lbs (6.8 kg) and ranged from 11 to 32 lbs (5.0-14.5 kg) in Minnesota and ranged from 13.2 to 24.3 lbs (6-11 kg) in Wisconsin. Males are typically larger than females. Raccoons were relatively uncommon in Minnesota until the mid to late 19th century, when populations ...
- Raccoons - Facts and Fancies - Wildlife Rescue League
Raccoons are in the Procyonidae ... There are seven species of raccoons in North America and 25 subspecies. Their weight varies from 12 to 35 pounds. Females are usually smaller than males....
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