Raccoons are members of the Procyonidae family. Their relatives are South American "crab-eating" Raccoons, Coatimundis, Cacomistles ("Ringtailed Cats"), Kinkajous, Olingos, and Red Pandas. The Raccoon is probably one of the most interesting animal there is around. They have very sensitive "hands" (front paws) and they spend alot of time feeling for things. They like to play with objects that attract their interest, and if they are near a creek or pond, the raccoon will take that "toy" over and play with it in the water. That gives the impression that the raccoon is "washing" it's toy, or sometimes it's food. In some parts of the world, the raccoon is called a "washing bear" or something like that, because of it's habit of feeling and playing with things in the water.

A raccoon's diet includes: frogs, crawfish and fresh water crabs, minnows, insects, fruit, berries, nuts, sweet corn, and anything else it finds tasty! Raccoons prefer to live near streams, ponds, and marshes, but also can found almost anywhere they can find food and water- even in cities. The raccoon is a very opportunistic animal!

Kisha Marie.

There are many varieties in color and size of Raccoons through out North and Central America. They all have the basic "mask" across their face and ringed, bushy tail. In the more northern parts (Canada and north U.S.), most raccoons weigh anywhere from around 15 to 35 pounds and have the "classic" raccoon appearance. Their fur can range from a "grizzled" brownish-gray to a dark brown or near black, all having a black mask with dark-and-light rings on their tail. Older raccoons may have a gray mask. Occasionally, some individuals may be almost reddish or light("sepia-toned") brown color- with a brown mask, and only rarely, a near white color with a very light brown mask!. Albino raccoons are possible, too. Down toward the "deep South" and Florida, they can be quite tiny in size compared to their more northerly cousins- sometimes only 10 pounds, or less. Raccoons (and Otters, too) have 2 types of hair that form their fur- long "guard" hairs, and soft, fuzzy "underfur". The underfur acts as a layer of insulation, and it helps to keep the raccoon warm in winter. The guard hairs have "bands" of color, alternating dark and light, and that is what gives the raccoon its color.

Otters!- OTTERS- WATER-WEASEL COUSINS OF THE RACCOON!

"Impish" River Otter.

Otters are in the Mustelidae family. Some of their relatives are Sea Otters, Badgers, Minks, Pine Martens, Fishers, Wolverines, Weasels, Skunks,and Ferrets. Otters have long bodies, short legs, and long tails. They are the most "fun-loving" and "easy-going" members of the family. Otters are inquisitive and intelligent animals, and they are "world-class" swimmers. The River Otter is almost the same size and weight as the average Raccoon, just more longer. Their fur is more like the fur of a kinkajou (a raccoon family member): soft, short and in shades of brown, with a lighter-colored chin, throat, and belly. Like other weasels, otters are quick and agile- they can turn around in their skin. They can hold off larger animals when it comes for times of defense, just like raccoons. Otters eat mostly crawfish, crabs, frogs, fish, snails, freshwater clams, mice, bugs, snakes--what ever is the easiest to catch. Sometimes, they eat berries or anything else they like. It was once believed that otters ate many game fish, but now it is known that they actually eat mostly slow-moving "trashy" fish- like suckers, carp, and minnows (they are easier to catch) unless the otter finds a fish hatchery. (Many otters that are translocated to other areas in their natural range come from around fish hatcheries.)

There are several species of otters around the world, and a couple species of otters have remarkable habits that are quite similar to raccoons. They are the Clawless Otters of Africa, and Small-clawed Otters of S.E. Asia. These tend to fill the same niche as the Raccoon for those regions. They feel for much of their prey, and are more comfortable in the shallows and streambanks than deep waters.

Another otter.

River otters inhabit many streams, rivers, bayous, lakes, and marshy areas, and can even inhabit coastal areas and along shores. River otters will spend as much time on land as they are in the water. In areas where winter snows blanket the ground, otters leave tracks and slide marks in the snow. They are not endangered in much of their range, but they remain sensitive to pollution and many changes to their environment. They are more abundant in areas where they can catch a wide variety of animals to eat, and ideal places to find den sites (holts). It happens to be that there are as many otters around such places as Puget Sound near Seattle, and in South Louisiana, as there are in many wilderness areas around the U.S.

There is still much that needs to be known about otters in the wild, especially in other areas of the world.

(all drawings and text content © by W. Ahlquist)

Thanks to Visual Touch of America for publishing my drawings.

At right, same positions as in drawing: Martha Ashliegh Kisha Winston

(This drawing was done in 1986.)

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[LINKS]-Other raccoon and otter websites Photos of Raccoons: [Martha][Winston][Napoleon][Even more pics] Photos of Baby Otters:[Theresa sleeping] [Thomas nuzzling Theresa][2 more pics] [More baby otter photos] Big Otters:[Benjamin] Ringtail Ring