Nebraska Wildlife Species Wildlife Species Guide | Furbearers
Guide | Habitat The common name "raccoon" comes from the Indian
word "arakum" or "aracoun," meaning "he scratches with his
hands." Adult raccoons may be up to 3 feet long and weigh up to
30 pounds. They have a black face mask and ringed tail. Their
fur is long and dense, a grizzled brown and black color that has
often been described as "salt and pepper." Although raccoons are
flesh-eaters and have long canine teeth, their molar teeth are
adapted for a varied diet which includes more than just meat.
The raccoon's closest relatives are ringtails and coatis from
the Southwest. Raccoons are inquisitive and seldom pass up the
opportunity to investigate an interesting smell or crevice. They
probe a crack with their front feet and pull anything of
interest from its hole for closer inspection. Raccoons are
usually found near trees because they are adapted to life in the
forest. They are agile climbers and have nimble feet, but they
are flat-footed like hum