Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Common Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Photo by suzmonk
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

32.3761, -88.6898

Field Notes

Description:

Just happened to have my camera, and the right lens, one day when I saw this fellow behind a restaurant eating kibble intended for stray cats. Not an ideal situation for any wild animal, but raccoons have moved into the suburbs in large numbers ... bold, curious creatures.

Reference Links:

Common Raccoon - Procyon lotor - Overview, Raccoon

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (16)
suzmonk
I've heard they can be trained to a litter box, like a cat. But they're so curious and they have better "hands" than cats ... no telling what your house would look like when you got home. Cats with thumbs, yikes ... still, what an idea!
suzmonk
Probably a little too tame for his own good, TeresaBurke. But I love raccoons, they're such pirates! And they don't seem to mind us ... bold creatures!
MartinUrban
this one was about the pond and recreation area near my home - here in vienna - but it was mentioned that they are already distributed across north and central europe along with racoon dogs from siberia ... yet i havent seen one myself
suzmonk
Sometimes I wish I lived out in the country, Marta, because raccoons don't mind letting you have a look at them fairly close-up. Of course, they're having a look at you too!
The MnMs
do you know in which country, though?
MartinUrban
well as i've seen in a local documentary - they are often nomads and use trainrails or canals as routes, but they also occupy abandoned industrial or renaturalized areas as habitates !
The MnMs
really, Martin? where could I see them ( besides zoos of course!). I ask because recently I got a hint from another belgian spotter on some woods where I could find siberian chipmunks here in Belgium..well, I went there and I saw them :-) is there anywhere in Germany where I could see raccoons in the wild as well?
The MnMs
Hehee.. I miss the raccoons! I used to see them when I lived in Boston area :-)
MartinUrban
we can find them here in europe too where they have created their own niche
suzmonk
Thanks very much, MartinUrban. Raccoons really are uniquely weird and wonderful animals ...
Photographed
PublishedJuly 28, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies