With their bandit's mask and ringed tail, raccoons (Procyon lotor) are one of North America's most charismatic and recognizable species—even if they are not frequently seen due to their nocturnal habits.

Raccoons are one of the few wild species that appears to have benefited from contact with humans, and they have adapted remarkably well to life in our cities and towns. Such synanthropes—wild animals who are willing and able to live among humans—are usually generalists, tolerating widely different habitats and eating many different foods. Studies show that the densities raccoons achieve in urban areas can be up to 20 times that typical in rural environments.

Raccoons are found in almost every major habitat in the continental United States and Central America, and they have recently expanded their range into southern Canada as well. The raccoon may be as long as a small dog—3 feet from nose to end of tail—but weigh much less: Average adult males are 10–15 pounds, while females are slightly smaller at 6–12 pounds. In the northern parts of their range—or where they are overfed by humans—raccoons may be a good deal heavier, even exceeding 60 pounds.

In the natural world, raccoons snare a lot of their meals in the water. These nocturnal foragers use lightning-quick paws to grab crayfish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. On land, they pluck mice and insects from their hiding places and raid nests for tasty eggs.  Raccoons also eat fruit and plants—including those grown in human gardens and farms. They will even open garbage cans to dine on the contents.