Family PROCYONIDAE 



93 



Fig. 62. — Raccoon. 



It is readily distinguished by a mask of black over its eyes 

 and by a densely furred and ringed tail of alternate black 

 and light bands. Its fur is long and coarse; its color usually is 

 grizzled gray-brown, but varies from yellowish gray to nearly 

 black. Its muzzle is fairly sharp pointed, and its ears are prom- 

 inent, rounded, and furred. The feet are broad and plantigrade; 

 that is, the animal walks on nearly the entire under surface of 

 the foot. The five toes on each foot are provided with prominent 

 claws. 



Length measurements: head and body about 20-28 inches 

 (500-720 mm.) ; tail 8-11 inches (200-280 mm.) ; over-all 28-39 

 inches (700-1,000 mm.); hind foot about 4-5 inches (95-120 

 mm.) ; ear \^-2]/^ inches (45-58 mm.). 



The skull (length 105-125 mm., or about 41/ inches; width 

 65-80 mm., or about 3 inches) is nearly as large as that of a 

 fox terrier dog, but has a short rostrum. The top of the skull 

 appears to be arched when viewed from the side; a bony palate 

 extends well behind the last molars. The teeth have short, 

 rounded cusps adapted more for crushing than for cutting food. 

 Dental formula: I 3/3, C 1/1, Pm 4/4, M 2/2. 



Life History. — The raccoon, or coon as it Is popularly called, 

 is so common in wooded areas of Illinois that it is known to 



