Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Body length: 18-28"; weight
12–48 lbs.
Diet: Fruits, nuts, insects, frogs
Visitors to southern Arizona from the northern US may be surprised that raccoons
occur here. In the Tonto Basin, raccoons are strictly associated with water. They
are probably rare in the Monument, but have been observed in an area of Cave Creek
Canyon where there is perennial water. They are common at Roosevelt Lake, particularly
around campgrounds and picnic areas.
Raccoons have grasping hands which are adept at searching for and manipulating
food. Such food often includes human food and leftovers, as they can rapidly learn
to loosen the lids of food and garbage containers. There is some evidence that
raccoons are increasing their distribution in western states - very possibly because
they adapt so easily to us.
NPS
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Updated
May 8, 2005