203 



RACCOONS. 



The Raccoons or Ratoiis (Procyonidae), are a very small 

 family of Carnivores whose habitat is principally con- 

 fined to the central and southern portions of the North 

 American continent. The sknll has the same essential 

 characteristics as that of the bear, and while in some other 

 respects their external appearance is like that of a bear 

 in miniature, they differ in other ways very materially 

 from that animal, having well developed tails marked 

 by alternate dark and light rings. They have the same 

 plantigrade feet, but they rest the whole sole of the foot 

 on the ground only when they stand still ; when they 

 walk they raise the heel. The dark brown fur on the 

 body of the Raccoons is thick and rather coarse and 

 has tips of gre^'ish hair; the muzzle is white, and 

 they have a brown streak across the eyes. The length of 

 the body is from twenty-two to twenty-six inches long. A 

 Raccoon will weigh from fifteen to thirty-five pounds 

 when in the best of condition. Raccoons have three back 

 tuberculous molars, the superior of which are nearly 

 square; and three pointed false molars in front forming 

 a continuous series to the canine, which are straight and 

 compressed. The total number of teeth in these animals 

 is fortv. 



Raccoox. 



Raccoons (Procyon-lotor) are extremely common 

 about the borders of the Adirondaeks. They are good 

 climbers, and they delight to sport on the margins of 



