FloridaÕs Raccoon
By Merle Ramsey

With fewer than half of North AmericaÕs original wetlands remaining, the mainly east coast raccoon or Procyon lotor generally spends its day resting and sunning in protected areas near water, such as mangrove swamps, scrub zones and tropical hammocks like the ones found here in Lovers Key State Park and other wetland areas throughout Florida.

Our raccoons are medium size grayish-brown mammals, about the size of a large house cat.  They belong to the Procyoniade family of the order Carnivores and are one of three types of raccoons found in the USA.  The other two species reside mainly in the Southwest.  All are excellent swimmers who emerge from the water shaking their bodies dry much like a dog does.  Their legs are medium in length with Buffy-like paws and flexible toes, used for climbing trees and washing their food.  They leave flat-footed tracks on the ground with elongated hind prints and rounded fore prints.  Their claws show on all 5 toes per foot.

No matter where I might be working inside Lovers Key my attention is occasionally drawn to this bushy ring tail animal (six to seven black rings) with its conspicuous black mask-like pattern around the eyes as it scurries to get out of the way of my approaching vehicle or footsteps.  I am always startled when I see them walking or running across a bridge, or darting out onto the beach to grab a bag or item of food in broad daylight.  I most often see them at dusk; however, coming out of our tropical hammocks and mangroves as the sun sets into the sea.

These normally nocturnal mammals have adapted over time to the changes in their habitat and now come out whenever there is food around.  Beach goers using FloridaÕs recreational areas will have to contend with their presence and are advised to do so wisely.  If you do not wish to invite them to your picnic (especially while unattended) please secure all eatables in a sealed-tight container, i.e. cooler.  Their sense of smell is keen!  Scientists say their forepaws and whiskered snout are extremely sensitive to touch.  And because they are sociable and curious creatures, they are quite observant of human behavior and will approach you.  Please do not feed them for any reason!

The season, weather, and the sex of a raccoon also affect their prowling behavior.  Scientists believe that they are less active during a full moon-lit night and adjust their schedule to low tides (like their fellow wading birds) so that feeding time spent on mud flats is gratifying.  They are known to foray for both plant and animal food; but will eat just about anything.  They have a powerful bite with a mouth of forty teeth, including molars with which they can crush crustaceans and shellfish.  A full meal for them equals about a half pound of fish.

Animal behaviorist have observed raccoons communicating with one another using a chattering sound for contact; a distress call made by young raccoons when separated from their mothers; a purring like a cat when content; and various barking, hissing, growling, snorting, and squealing noises when defending themselves from attack by another animal.  The Florida bobcat is its natural predator.  So since the bobcat population is in decline, the raccoon population is increasing.

If you happen to be out at night on a beach or roadway near their habitat, you will probably see a raccoon or two traveling from one area to another via a path through the woods, or crossing the road (a major reason for road kills).  They have fairly broad home ranges extending up to several miles and covering up to 10 acres within which they use smaller portions for several days at a time.  They are known to share overlapping home ranges without territorial defense.  They may try to  avoid one another in their quest for food, however.  A common source of food, such as a garbage can, is the only place you may see or hear a fight taking place.  They tend to use fixed routes in their search for food or raccoon dens (if they are male raccoons).

Female raccoons begin breeding by the time they are one year old and are usually in heat or Ôcome into estrusÕ in the winter.  During the mating season, male raccoons will wander around from den to den in search of females in estrus.  Once found, he will mate with her; stay a few days then leave in search of another.  About a month after mating a pregnant female becomes very active & wanders about her home range feeding and looking for an appropriate breeding den, usually in a tree with small openings.  Gestation lasts about 63 days.  In Florida raccoon births occur most often in February with three to seven babies to a litter.  Baby raccoon are blind for the first 19 days and suckle for two months.  After the 16th week the young will venture out at night to foray.  Independence is declared!

Raccoons live up to fourteen years, especially those in captivity.  Adult raccoons tend to be solitary except during mating season, or when mothers are weaning their babies and teaching them how to survive in the world.  The male raccoon is also helpful in the rearing process.

More Information About Local Wildlife

Contact us for help in planning your events.
info@loverskey.com