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Olympic National Park High camp in the Olympic Mountains
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Olympic National Park
Raccoon
 
A raccoon in a tree

Ken and Mary Campbell

Raccoons are excellent climbers.

Raccoon - Procyon lotor

Identification:
Often known as the 'masked bandit,' raccoons have gray fur, with what looks like a black mask around their eyes. Their bushy tails are ringed with black and white stripes. Raccoons are expert climbers and are able to open doors and raid garbage cans if given the opportunity. 

Habitat:
Raccoons have a diverse habitat. They can be quite common in and around human communities including cities, towns and campgrounds. In the wilderness, raccoons are often found around lakes, rivers, and streams.

Diet:
Raccoons are omnivores and feed on a diverse diet of berries, acorns, small mammals, bugs, frogs, and fish in the wild. If given the chance, raccoons will eat human food and trash if it is not correctly stored.

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Mt. Olympus in winter

Did You Know?
That Mount Olympus receives over 200 inches of precipitation each year and most of that falls as snow? At 7,980 feet, Mount Olympus is the highest peak in Olympic National Park and has the third largest glacial system in the contiguous U.S.

Last Updated: March 12, 2009 at 15:40 MST