raccoon

views updated May 17 2018

rac·coon / raˈkoōn; rə-/ (also racoon) • n. a grayish-brown American mammal (esp. the common raccoon, Procyon lotor) that has a foxlike face with a black mask, a ringed tail, and the habit of washing its food in water. The raccoon family (Procyonidae) also includes the coati, kinkajou, and cacomistle.

raccoon

views updated May 11 2018

raccoon (racoon) Stout-bodied, omnivorous, mostly nocturnal mammal of North and Central American wooded areas. Raccoons have a black, mask-like marking across their eyes, and a long black-banded tail. They have agile and sensitive front paws and typically dip for food in water. The seven species include the North American Procyon lotor. Length: 40–61cm (16–24in); weight: 10–22kg (22–48lb). Family Procyonidae.

raccoon

views updated Jun 11 2018

raccoon (Procyon lotor) See PROCYONIDAE.

More From encyclopedia.com