Procyon (genus): Difference between revisions
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{{Otheruses}} |
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{{Taxobox begin | color = pink | name = ''Raccoon''}} |
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{{Taxobox image | image = [[image:Procyon lotor (raccoon).jpg|250px|Common Raccoon]] | caption = [[Common Raccoon]]}} |
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{{Taxobox begin placement | color = pink}} |
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{{Taxobox regnum entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}} |
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{{Taxobox phylum entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}} |
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{{Taxobox classis entry | taxon = [[mammal|Mammalia]]}} |
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{{Taxobox ordo entry | taxon = [[Carnivora]]}} |
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{{Taxobox familia entry | taxon = [[Procyonidae]]}} |
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{{Taxobox genus entry | taxon = '''''Procyon'''''}}<br/>{{Taxobox authority | author = Storr | date = 1780}} |
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{{Taxobox end placement}} |
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{{Taxobox section type species | color = pink | species = [[Common Raccoon|Ursus lotor]] | comment = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758}} |
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{{Taxobox section subdivision | color = pink | plural_taxon = Species}} |
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''[[Crab-eating Raccoon|Procyon cancrivorus]]''<br/> |
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''[[Tres Marias Raccoon|Procyon insularis]]''<br/> |
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''[[Common Raccoon|Procyon lotor]]''<br/> |
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{{Taxobox end}} |
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'''Raccoons''' are [[mammal]]s native to [[the Americas]] in the [[genus]] '''''Procyon''''' of the ''[[Procyonidae]]'' [[Scientific classification|family]]. Raccoons are notable for their [[thumb]]s, which (though not [[opposable thumb|opposable]]) enable them to open many closed containers (such as [[garbage can]]s) and [[door]]s. They are intelligent [[omnivores]] with a reputation for slyness and mischief. |
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==Species== |
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There are three species of raccoon. The most widespread is the [[common raccoon]] (''P. lotor''), which has a natural range of [[North America]] and [[Central America]], and has been [[introduced species|introduced]] to [[Continental Europe]]. |
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The two rarer species are the [[Tres Marias raccoon]] (''P. insularis''), native to the [[Caribbean]], and the [[crab-eating raccoon]] (''P. cancrivorus'') of the tropics. The word "raccoon" is derived from the [[Algonquian language|Algonquian]] word ''aroughcoune'', "he who scratches with his hands." The genus name, ''Procyon'', comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] for "pre-dog"; this term is also used for the star [[Procyon]]. |
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Some raccoons once considered separate species are now thought to be the same as or [[subspecies]] of the common raccoon, including the Barbados raccoon (''P. gloveraleni''), Nassau raccoon (''P. maynardi''), Guadeloupe raccoon (''P. minor''), and Cozumel Island raccoon (''P. pygmaeus'') (Helgen and Wilson 2003/2005). |
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===Other names=== |
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In many languages the raccoon is named for its characteristic dousing behavior. The [[German language|German]] word ''Waschbär'', the [[Swedish language|Swedish]] word ''Tvättbjörn'' and the [[Finnish language|Finnish]] word ''Pesukarhu'' all mean "washing bear." The common raccoon is in French ''le raton laveur'' or "little washing rat"; the Linnean binomial is ''Procyon lotor'' or, roughly, "washing pre-dog." |
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==Behavior== |
==Behavior== |
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As city dwellers in the [[United States]] increasingly move into primary or second homes in erstwhile [[rural]] areas, raccoons are often considered [[pest (animal)|pest]]s because they forage in trash receptacles. Introduced into [[Germany]] in the [[19th century]], raccoons seeking food in wine cellars and storage areas have become a threat to the country's [[wine]] industry. Beginning in April [[1934]] raccoons, which were being commercially farmed in Germany for their then-fashionable fur, were experimentally released into the wild [http://www.v.berlepsch.de/_private/waschbaeren-wilhelm-engl.htm]. Population growth greatly accelerated in 1945 when disruption of the infrastructure led to numerous raccoons escaping from farms across Germany. Because they seemed to have minimal impact on forest [[ecology]], raccoons were a protected species. Lately, however, the [[population density]] in some regions may have reached 100 raccoons per [[square kilometer]] and hunters have been offered rewards to cull the animals [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1846678,00.html]. |
As city dwellers in the [[United States]] increasingly move into primary or second homes in erstwhile [[rural]] areas, raccoons are often considered [[pest (animal)|pest]]s because they forage in trash receptacles. Introduced into [[Germany]] in the [[19th century]], raccoons seeking food in wine cellars and storage areas have become a threat to the country's [[wine]] industry. Beginning in April [[1934]] raccoons, which were being commercially farmed in Germany for their then-fashionable fur, were experimentally released into the wild [http://www.v.berlepsch.de/_private/waschbaeren-wilhelm-engl.htm]. Population growth greatly accelerated in 1945 when disruption of the infrastructure led to numerous raccoons escaping from farms across Germany. Because they seemed to have minimal impact on forest [[ecology]], raccoons were a protected species. Lately, however, the [[population density]] in some regions may have reached 100 raccoons per [[square kilometer]] and hunters have been offered rewards to cull the animals [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1846678,00.html]. |
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==Disease== |
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Raccoons can carry [[Baylisascaris|''Baylisascaris'' roundworm]], [[distemper]], and [[rabies]]. Of the approximately 8,000 documented animal [[rabies]] cases in the United States, raccoons constitue approximately 50% {{Harv|Krebs|Strine|Smith|Noah|1996|pp=2031-2044}}. |
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''See also [http://www.pattyswildliferescue.com/20_reasons.htm 20 reasons not to have a pet raccoon]'' |
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== Raccoons as pets == |
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In most states of the [[United States]] it is illegal to keep raccoons as [[pet]]s. Many other states allow the practice, but require [[exotic pet]] permits. Young orphan raccoons and raccoons acquired from reputable breeders may make suitable pets; however, raccoons are not [[domesticated animals]]. Training raccoons is an intensive and ongoing process, and captive raccoons may retain destructive or aggressive natural behaviors, such as biting. Some douse their food in or defecate into the water dishes of other pets. Although [[nocturnal]], captive raccoons can be trained to sleep at night and to be active during the day. |
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Captive raccoons can develop [[obesity]] and other disorders due to unnatural diet and lack of exercise; furthermore, many [[veterinarian]]s will not treat raccoons. Raccoons raised in captivity and released do not adapt well to life outside. |
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==References== |
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{{Harvard reference |
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| Surname1=Krebs | Given1=J.W. |
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| Surname2=Strine | Given2=T.W. |
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| Surname3=Smith | Given3=J.S. |
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| Surname4=Noah | Given4=D.L. |
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| Authorlink= |
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| Title=Rabies surveillance in the United States during 1995 |
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| Journal=J Am Vet Med Assoc |
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| Volume=204 |
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| Issue= |
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| Year=1996 |
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| Pages=2031-2044 |
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| URL= }}. |
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==Literature== |
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*Helgen, K.M. & Wilson, D.E. 2003. Taxonomic status and conservation relevance of the raccoons (''Procyon'' spp.) of the West Indies. Journal of Zoology (London) 259:69-76. |
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*Helgen, K.M. & Wilson, D.E. 2005. A systematic and zoogeographic overview of the raccoons of Mexico and Central America. Pp. 219-234 in Sanchez-Cordero, V. & Medellin, R.A. (eds.). Contribuciones Mastozoologicas: en Homenaje a Bernardo Villa. Mexico City: Instituto de Biologia e Instituto de Ecologia, UNAM. |
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[[Category:Procyonids]] |
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[[de:Waschbären]] |
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[[eo:Prociono]] |
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[[es:Mapache]] |
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[[fr:Procyon (mammifère)]] |
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[[he:דביבון]] |
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[[io:Ratono]] |
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[[it:Procyon]] |
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[[lt:Meškėnai]] |
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[[nl:Wasberen]] |
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[[no:Vanlig vaskebjørn]] |
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[[pl:Szop]] |
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[[ru:Енот]] |
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[[sv:Tvättbjörnar]] |
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Revision as of 18:31, 21 January 2006
Behavior
All raccoons are nocturnal and omnivorous, eating berries, insects, eggs and small animals. Raccoons sometimes wash, or douse, their food in water before eating it. It is unknown (except to raccoons) why raccoons perform dousing, but cleaning food is unlikely to be the reason. Studies have found that raccoons engage in dousing motions when water is unavailable; researchers note that captive raccoons are more likely than wild raccoons to douse food. It has been suggested that captive raccoons are mimicking fishing and shellfish-foraging behaviors.
As city dwellers in the United States increasingly move into primary or second homes in erstwhile rural areas, raccoons are often considered pests because they forage in trash receptacles. Introduced into Germany in the 19th century, raccoons seeking food in wine cellars and storage areas have become a threat to the country's wine industry. Beginning in April 1934 raccoons, which were being commercially farmed in Germany for their then-fashionable fur, were experimentally released into the wild [1]. Population growth greatly accelerated in 1945 when disruption of the infrastructure led to numerous raccoons escaping from farms across Germany. Because they seemed to have minimal impact on forest ecology, raccoons were a protected species. Lately, however, the population density in some regions may have reached 100 raccoons per square kilometer and hunters have been offered rewards to cull the animals [2].