144 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 66 



Figure 47. — Distribution of Procyon lotor lotor. 



The racoon is easily distinguished from all other Maryland mam- 

 mals by the dark facial mask and the long-haired tail ringed with 

 black and yellow. 



Measurements. — External and cranial measurements of four adult 

 females from the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Dorchester 

 County, are: Total length 749.5 (718-762) ; tail 236.7 (210-254) ; hmd 

 foot 108 (102-114) ; condylobasal length of skull 110.9 (107.1-114.2) ; 

 zygomatic breadth 67.1 (62.7-69.7) ; postorbital breadth 23.3 (22.5- 

 23.8) ; length of maxillary toothrow 41.3 (39.9-43.8) ; breadth of ros- 

 trum at incisors 23.7 (23.1-24.2). External measurements of three and 

 cranial measurements of four adult males are : Total length 736, 736, 

 762; tail 229, 229, 254; hind foot 102, 102, 102; condylosabal length of 

 skull 114.1 (110.9-117.9) ; zygomatic breadth 67.4 (64.9-69.9) ; post- 

 orbital breadth 22.5 (21.0-24.7) ; upper maxillary toothrow 26.1 (25.3- 

 26.5). 



Three adult males and three adult females from Laurel, Prince 

 Georges County, measure cranially : Condylobasal length 109.6, 112.7, 

 111.7, 106.3, 104.4, 108.8; zygomatic breadth 67.4, 67.8, 74.9, 67.7, 68.4, 

 65.1; postpalatal breadth 24.2, 22.1, 23.5, 22.1, 22.4, 23.2; length of 

 maxillary toothrow 40.9, 41.6, 41.1, 40.7, 39.0, 40.1 ; breadth of rostrum 

 at incisors 25.6, 25.1, 26.1, 23.5, 22.5, 22.8. 



Habitat and habits. — ^The raccoon is cosmopolitan in habitat pref- 

 erence, being found in woods, swamps, and marshes, including salt- 



