Short description of Procyon lotor, Raccoon

The northern raccoon is a grey animal, about the size of a large cat, with distinctive dark eye-patches and a thick furry tail with a series of black rings.  They like to feed in water or to douse their food in water before eating.

Impact summary: Procyon lotor, Raccoon

No impacts have been reported in GB, but raccoons can be a considerable nuisance to householders, interfere with game management and damage growing and stored grain.  They can also carry diseases such as canine distemper and toxoplasmosis.

Habitat summary: Procyon lotor, Raccoon

The natural habitat includes woodland near water, but the species is adaptable and often occurs in urban areas

Overview table

Environment	Terrestrial
Species status	Non-Native
Native range	Northern America, Central America
Functional type	Omnivore
Status in England	Non-Native
Status in Scotland	Non-Native
Status in Wales	Non-Native
Location of first record	?
Date of first record	1970

Origin

Northern raccoons are native to North and Central America, south to Panama and some Caribbean islands.  They are commonly kept in captivity in GB.

First Record

Recorded in the wild in GB since the 1970s, for example in Brecon in 1977.

Pathway and Method

Raccoons are attractive animals and popular with zoos.  Their inquisitiveness and intelligence, and the surprising dexterity of their forepaws, may help them to escape.  Elsewhere in Eurasia, raccoons were kept in fur farms or released for hunting for their fur.

Species Status

Non-native populations are well established in a number of western European countries, including France, the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic, and in the Caucasus and in Japan.  The lack of establishment in GB may result simply from chance.

Dispersal Mechanisms

Raccoons are excellent climbers and also swim well.

Reproduction

Raccoons have complex social systems.  Females give birth in dens which are mostly in tree holes but may be in a burrow dug by another species or in a roof space.

Known Predators/Herbivores

None known.

Resistant Stages

None.

Habitat Occupied in GB

None known.

The establishment of populations in other western European countries suggests that there are no ecological barriers to establishment in GB.

Environmental Impact

Raccoons may threaten vulnerable bird species and displace native carnivores.

Health and Social Impact

Raccoons raid fruit trees and rubbish bins in urban areas.  Some householders encourage the animals by feeding them.  They are important vectors of rabies and also carry a roundworm parasite Baylisascaris procyonis that is highly pathogenic in humans, and may even be fatal. Also cause canine distemper and toxoplasmosis.

Economic Impact

The species is often the target of pest control services, at cost to householders.  Economic damage may be caused to fruit crops in orchards.

Identification

Wilson, D.E. & Mittelmeier, R.A. (eds) (2009) Handbook of the Mammals of the World.  Volume 1: Carnivores. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Biology, ecology, spread, vectors

Zeveloff, S.I. (2002) Raccoons: a natural history. Smithsonian Books, Washington, DC.

Management and impact

Rosatte, R., Sobey, K., Donovan, D., Bruce, L., Allan, M., Silver, A., Bennett, K., Gibson, M., Simpson, H., Davies, C., Wandeler, A. & Muldoon, F. (2006) Behavior, movements, and demographics of rabid raccoons in Ontario, Canada: management implications. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 42, 589–605.

General

Harris, S. & Yalden, D.W. (2008) Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook. Fourth edition. The Mammal Society, Southampton.

Lever, C. (2009) The Naturalized Animals of Britain and Ireland. New Holland Publishers, London.

Hinterland Who's Who

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/67856

https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/downloadDocument.cfm?id=621