ANIMAL WORLD
Evolution:
The first known member of the family Procyonidae lived in Europe in the late Oligocene about 25 million years ago based on a fossil record form France and Germany. Similar tooth and skull structures suggest procyonids and weasels share a common ancestor, but a molecular analysis indicates a closer relationship between raccoons and bear. Coatis and raccoons have been considered to share common descent from a species in the genus Paranasua. This hypothesis is based on morphological comparisons of fossils. The ancestors of the common raccoon left tropical and subtropical areas and migrated farther north about 2.5 million years ago.
Biogeography:
The geographic distribution of the North American Raccoon, reaches from southern Canada, down throughout the United States, (except for parts of Utah and Nevada), and all the way into Panama. Also it includes many islands from Tres María in southern Mexico to the Bahamas and the Lesser Antilles. Raccoons are capable to adapt to any environment and are only geographically limited by long winters, because of water staying frozen too long. The prefer living in coastal areas, upland marshes, prairies, forests, and cities.
Animal Behavior:
The raccoon is mostly nocturnal. It is also solitary, except for mothers and their young. In the winter raccoon do not hibernate but may sleep in its den for a few weeks. The raccoon makes a variety of vocalizations including hisses, whistles, screams, growls and snarls.
Raccoon
Diet:
Raccoons are omnivorous and eat almost anything, including: nuts, berries, acorns, leaves, grasshoppers, crickets, grubs, worms, dragonfly larvae, clams, wasps, salamanders, frogs, crayfish, snakes, turtles and their eggs, bird eggs and nestlings, fish, voles, and squirrels. They often eat garbage scraps and at times have been seen eating dead animals on the sides of roads.
Reproduction:
During the mating season, raccoon males frequently expand their home ranges, presumably to include the home ranges of more females as potential mates. Females are sometimes found temporarily denning with males during the mating season. After mating there is no association of males and females.
Ecology:
Raccoons impact the population sizes of their primary prey items. In some areas where they eat mainly one type of prey, such as crayfish, clams, or insects, this can have a large impact on community composition.
Taxonomy:
Isolation mechanisms:
Behavioral isolation, due to their i agreesive and territorial behavior copulation wiht other species is impossible.