Eliminex Pest Control Inc.

Raccoons most noticeable characteristics are the black "bandit" face mask and its dark and light ringed bushy tail. Most raccoons in the northeast are a greyish-brown color mixed with darker colored  guard hairs producing a mottled overall appearance. Raccoons have 40 teeth, including 4 elongated sharp canine teeth. The hind legs of the raccoon are longer than the front legs, giving them a hunched appearance as they walk or run. There are five toes on each foot with the front feet being dexterous which allows the raccoon the ability to grasp and clutch items. Raccoon weights vary from region to region. Most adult male raccoons in northern states weigh 15-18 with females averaging 2-3 pounds less. Occasional specimens in northern states may weigh 30 pounds. 

Breeding 
Information:

Breeding seasons for raccoons are usually in January in southern states, and February in the middle and northern states. Young males are evicted from the dens at this time and mature male raccoons search out all available females . Female raccoons are capable of breeding at 10 months of age, but males do not breed until their second year of life. Gestation is usually 63 days, and 2-4 young are common in southern states. Litters of 4-6 are more common in northern states. The young raccoons are cared for solely by the mothers and mother raccoons are aggressive in the protection of their young. Ten years of age is considered old for a wild raccoon. 

Year around and are nocturnal emerging from their dens at dusk and return by dawn. Contrary to common beliefs raccoons do not hibernate, however during extreme weather they may stay in dens for weeks at a time using up stored body fats.

Raccoons eat a wide variety of foods and store up layers of fat during the fall to prepare for winter.   Raccoons are opportunists, commonly eating whatever is available. Important foods include crayfish, mussels, clams, frogs, salamanders, earthworms, grubs, fruits, nuts, grains, carrion, eggs, and any available warm blooded small mammals or birds. Preferred foods may include fish and sweet corn. Raccoons have a sweet tooth and can be caught using Marshmallows or Jelly bread. They frequent garbage cans and dumpsters.

Raccoons are found throughout the fifty states.

Raccoons nest in the eaves of homes and commercial buildings,  inside attics, under crawl spaces and  inside chimneys. They can also cause major structural damage. Raccoons are known to tear through roofing, siding and screened vents to enter attics and eaves. Raccoons  love to dig up our beautiful lawns in search of earthworms and grubs.

Several diseases afflict coons, including both canine and feline distemper. Raccoons occasionally carry leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans via biting. Rabies is also a problem in raccoons and this species is the leading carrier of this dreaded disease in some eastern and southeastern states. Parasites infecting coons include roundworms, flatworms, tapeworms, mange causing mites, lice and fleas.