Raccoons
(Procyon lotor)
Originally, raccoons lived only in North America. In the 1930s, they were brought to Europe and Asia, in part for fur farming. Some animals then escaped, so they are now found in those parts of the world as well. Raccoons are very adaptable and can live in many different types of habitat. They like to live in humid forest areas, but can also be found in agricultural areas and in cities. As long as they have easy access to water!
Appearance
You can recognize raccoons by their black spots around the eyes and their bushy taisl with four to ten black rings. The color of the fur varies by habitat and ranges from gray to reddish-brown and pale yellow. The weight of the animal also varies by habitat, ranging from 1.8 to 10.4 kg. Did you know that a raccoon can reach a weight of 50% body fat?
- the raccoon often puts its food in the water to soften it or to wash away toxins?
- Length 60 - 95 cm, tail 19 - 41 mm
- Weight Average 6 kg
- Lifespan Averages 5 years in the wild, but ages of 16 (in the wild) and 21 (in captivity) are also known
- Range United States, Canada, South America, Europe and Asia
- Habitat Very diverse
Reproduction
The mating season of the raccoon is from February to June and pregnancy lasts 63 to 65 days. Raccoons generally have one litter of kits, as they are called, per year. A litter consists of three to seven kits, usually there are four. The baby raccoons are born blind and open their eyes when they are 18 to 24 days old. The little ones remain with their mothers during the first winter and become independent in the spring. The mothers and their offspring stay together even when they are adults.
Behaviour and way of life
Raccoons are primarily solitary animals: They feel fine living alone, but sometimes live in groups. The
group usually consists of a raccoon mother and her kits. For short periods, males and females are together: about a month before they mate until after the kits are born. Raccoons are most active at night because they are nocturnal animals. They are good swimmers and climbers. If they fall while climbing, it’s not a big deal: they can easily cope with a fall of ten to twelve meters on natural ground.
AAP and raccoons
Raccoons have been spotted more often in the Netherlands in recent years, particularly in the province of Limburg. However, raccoons are an invasive exotic species: the animal is not native to our country and can pose a threat to native species or humans. Therefore, based on European legislation, the Netherlands is obliged to control the animal and provinces are allowed to decide for themselves how to do that.
Therefore, since 2019, AAP has been capturing raccoons from the province of Limburg, which initially planned to kill the animals. Fortunately, we were able to prevent this from happening! For all raccoons at our AAP shelter, we then look for a good home where they can stay for the rest of their lives. AAP also calls on other provinces to deal with the raccoons in an animal-friendly way and not to kill them. AAP also takes in raccoons that have been kept as pets or have entered the Netherlands as stowaways.
