Raccoon racoid (Procyon cancrivorus) is a species of raccoon that lives mainly in Central and South America. The name "crustacean" comes from its special love for crustaceans. This predator is well adapted to life near water bodies, where it is skillful at hunting small animals.
Classification and scientific name
• The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
• Type: Chordal (Chordata)
• Class: Mammals (Mammalia)
• Row: Carnivores (Carnivora)
• Family: Raccoons (Procyonidae)
• Gender: Rakun (Procyon)
• View: Procyon cancrivorus
Physical characteristics
📌 Dimensions and weight
- Body length: 40-70 cm
- Tail: 20-40 cm
- Weight: 4-10 kg
🎨 Colors and features
✔ Gray or brown fur with dark stripes on the tail
✔ A black "mask" on the face is a characteristic feature of raccoons
✔ The toes are very mobile - like hands
Range and habitat
🔵 Spread
✔ Central and South America: from Panama to Paraguay and Argentina
🔴 Living environment
✔ Moist tropical forests
✔ Swamps, river banks
✔ Occurs near human settlements
Lifestyle and behavior
🌟 Social structure
✔ Usually leads a solitary lifestyle
✔ Territorial, marks the boundaries with urine
🌟 Activity time
✔ Nocturnal animal
✔ Rests in hollows or burrows during the day
Food and hunting
🍖 The main meal
- Crayfish, crabs, fish
- Fruits and berries
- Insects, small vertebrates
🍴 Methods of obtaining food
✔ Hunts near water, paws the bottom
✔ Known for its ability to "wash" food before consumption
Reproduction and life cycle
❤️ Mating season: Spring
❤️ Number of cubs: 2-5 in a brood
❤️ Pregnancy: Approximately 63 days
❤️ Life span: Up to 13 years in the wild
Natural enemies and threats
⚠ The main enemies:
✔ Large snakes
✔ Birds of prey
✔ Jaguars and other large felines
⚠ Human threats:
✔ Destruction of habitat
✔ Road traffic
✔ Hunting because of damage to crops
Interesting facts about the racoid crayfish
✔ Despite its name, it does not eat only crayfish
✔ His paws are extremely sensitive - he can find prey in the water by touch
✔ The intelligence of the crayfish is very high - it is capable of learning and remembers solutions to problems
✔ Often settles near people, looking for food scraps
Conclusion
The racoon racoon is a charismatic and intelligent animal that plays an important role in tropical biocenoses. Its ability to survive in different conditions, intelligence and unique habits make it a real gem of wildlife. 🦝🌍
