Some people call them rodents, others think of them as little bears. Despite having different concepts about raccoons, one thing is obvious. They are among the most adorable animals in the wild that have a masked face and a unique pair of hands.
True, opinions about raccoons vary, but by knowing the exact raccoon species, you will have a better idea about what sort of creature you are dealing with. It is for that reason why this post is created. We aim to help you better understand and know the different raccoon species in the world.
Let’s begin our exciting journey toward unveiling some facts about these raccoons.
The Three Main Species of Raccoons
Are you aware that raccoons are sorted into three main species? Yes, while some of them are often seen around your house, others thrive in the wild.
Know more about these three main raccoon species below:
1. Procyon Pygmaeus
Also known as the Cozumel raccoon, this raccoon species are found on Cozumel Island, located off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Unfortunately, this species is highly endangered, so you will never see it roaming around your property.
2. Procyon Cancrivorus
Also called the crab-eating raccoon, this raccoon species definitely eats crabs. However, like other raccoon species, it also eats a wide variety of food.
Although the fur pattern of this raccoon species is a bit different than the raccoons found in the United States, it still has a lot of similarities. You can easily notice one because of its size. Since its fur is not thick, it looks skinnier and smaller.
The procyon cancrivorus lives in the Costa Rican regions and some parts of South America.
3. Procyon Lotor
The largest and most popular among the three species in this list, the procyon lotor is the raccoon you see lurking around your property. It is prevalent in most regions of the United States, except Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. It is also widespread in Canada, particularly in Toronto, as well as in countries like Japan, Russia, and Germany.
In some parts of Canada and the United States, the population of the procyon lotor species has significantly increased. As a result, it has been considered a common pest for households. On some rare occasions, the procyon lotor species are kept and raised as pets, especially if they have already adapted to city or urban living.
The Raccoon Population All Over the World
The exact population of raccoons all over the world is impossible to count. However, what is known is that in Canada and the United States alone, there are about 100 times more raccoons as there were 2 centuries ago. In a survey done years ago, it was found that there are about 700 raccoons in every square mile.
Sure, there are raccoon species that are becoming endangered due to loss of habitat. But in general, the number of raccoons is expected to increase because of the availability of food, such as fruits, grains, nuts, veggies, corn, as well as garbage.
