Raccoon
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| The Raccoon is a widespread,
medium-sized, omnivorous mammal
native to North America. Raccoons
usually live together in small,
loose groups. Their original
habitats are mixed or deciduous
forests, but due to their
adaptability, they are often found
in urban areas where they can be
considered pests. The raccoon is
often recognized by its black mask
and tail covered by white rings.
Raccoons look like they have a
bandit mask on their face. Raccoons
have a whitish gray coat, sometimes
yellowish with black patches of fur.
This fur is long and dense; a
grizzled brown and black color that
often has been described as “salt
and pepper.” The tail can grow to be
fifteen inches. A tail can have five
to seven black rings on it.
Although, raccoons are flesh eaters
and have long canine teeth, their
molar teeth are adapted for a varied
diet which includes more than just
meat. Raccoons have 40 teeth, which
are adapted to an omnivorous
lifestyle, consuming a varied diet
that includes berries, insects,
fruit, chickens, and small mammals.
Raccoons sometimes wash, or douse,
their food in water before eating
it. It is not known why raccoons
perform dousing (a lack of adequate
salivary glands to moisten food has
been cited as one reason), but
cleaning food is unlikely to be the
reason. The chewing surface is not
as wide as for herbivores, but the
teeth are not as sharp and pointed
as those of a carnivore.They have
sharp claws so they can climb trees
and open shell fish like clams and
oysters. Raccoons are also nocturnal
animals. Raccoons are usually found
near trees because they are adapted
to life in the forest. They are
great climbers and have strong feet,
but they are flat-footed like humans
and bears who are slow runners.
Using their sensitive front feet,
they catch their prey in and around
water, and use their front feet to
bring food to their mouths holding
it while they eat. The name
"raccoon" come from the Indian word
"arakum" which means "he scratches
with his hands." |
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