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Raccoon - Procyon lotor

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Native Species

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S5
(see State Rank Reason below)


Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:


 

External Links


Listen to an Audio Sample
Copyright Jeff Rice and the Western Soundscape Archive at the University of Utah. Audio file courtesy of the Acoustic Atlas at Montana State University (www.acousticatlas.org)
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Species is common and widely distributed. It is likely stable and faces no known significant threats.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Conservation Status Summary
State Rank: S5
Review Date = 09/24/2024
See the complete Conservation Status Rank Report
How we calculate Conservation Status Ranks
 
General Description
Black mask over the eyes and alternating rings of yellowish-white and black on the tail. Flat-footed and body weight variable. Total length: 26 to 40 inches. Weight: 12 to 35 pounds.

Species Range
Montana Range Range Descriptions

Native

Global Range

Estimated global breeding range area is: 14,519,942 km2 (Approximately 3% in Montana)
See information about iNaturalist LogoiNaturalist Geomodels
 


Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 761

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)



Migration
Non-migratory. Juveniles may exhibit impressive dispersal movements (Kaufmann 1982).

Habitat
Inhabits stream and lake borders near wooded areas or rocky cliffs. Most abundant in riparian and wetland habitats. Mostly nocturnal and very intelligent. May use front paws to find food. Sometimes dunks food in water before eating. Does not hibernate. Uses hollow logs, trees, and rock crevices as den sites. Forested riparian habitat; river and stream valleys. Possibly also associated with prairie wetlands. Although tree dens are most common, burrows and crevices, etc. also used (Kaufmann 1982).

National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Forest and Woodland
Deciduous Forest and Woodland
Great Plains Aspen Forest and Woodland
Great Plains Mesic Forest and Woodland
Rocky Mountain Aspen Forest and Woodland
Low Elevation - Xeric Forest and Woodland
Foothills Limber Pine - Juniper Woodland
Great Plains Ponderosa Pine Forest and Woodland
Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine Forest and Woodland
Utah Juniper Woodland
Montane - Subalpine Forest and Woodland
Cedar - Hemlock Forest
Interior PNW Douglas-fir Forest and Woodland
Lodgepole Pine Forest
Montane - Subalpine Limber Pine Woodland
Montane Mesic Coniferous (Grand Fir - Douglas-fir - Western Larch) Forest
Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir Forest
Whitebark Pine - Subalpine Larch Forest and Woodland
Shrubland
Foothills - Montane Shrubland
Mountain Mahogany Woodland and Shrubland
Sagebrush Shrubland
Basin and Wyoming Big (Threetip) Sagebrush Shrubland
Mountain Big Sagebrush Shrubland
Grassland
Lowland - Prairie Grassland
Great Plains Dry Mixedgrass Prairie
Great Plains Mesic Mixedgrass Prairie
Great Plains Solonetzic Grassland
Rocky Mountain Low Elevation - Dry Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Dry Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Mesic Grassland and Meadow
Wetland and Riparian
Alkaline - Saline Wetlands
Greasewood Shrubland
Great Plains Saline Marsh and Wet Meadow
Intermountain Alkaline - Saline Grassland and Meadow
Alpine Riparian and Wetland
Alpine - Subalpine Herbaceous and Dwarf-Shrub Riparian and Wetland
Peatland
Great Plains Alkaline Fen
Rocky Mountain Acidic Fen
Rocky Mountain Alkaline Fen
Riparian and Wetland Forest
Great Plains Floodplain Forest
Lowland - Montane Riparian Deciduous Forest
Montane - Subalpine Riparian Forest
Montane Forested Wetland
Riparian Shrubland
Great Plains Floodplain Shrubland and Herbland
Lowland - Montane Riparian Shrubland
Montane - Subalpine Riparian and Seep Shrubland
Wet Meadow and Marsh
Arid West Freshwater Marsh and Wet Meadow
Great Plains Freshwater Marsh
Great Plains Wet Meadow, Marsh and Shrub Swamp
Montane Wet Meadow and Marsh
Great Plains Wet Meadow, Riparian Shrubland and Fen
Recently Disturbed or Modified
Harvested Forest
Recently Logged
Insect-Killed Forest
Recent Insect/Disease Damage
Introduced Vegetation
Introduced - Upland Herbaceous Vegetation
Human Land Use
Agriculture
Cultivated Crops, Dryland
Irrigated Agriculture
Pasture/Hay, Dryland
Developed
Developed - Low and Medium Intensity
Developed - Vegetation

Food Habits
Omnivorous, will eat whatever is available. Feeds on carrion, mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians, grains, nuts, and fruits. Also, readily consumes food prepared for animal or human consumption. Unspecialized gut. Uses diverse array of foods. Relative proportions vary with season and locale. Plants often more important than animals; fruits, nuts, crops, seeds, etc. In spring, invertebrates and vertebrates most important (Kaufmann 1982).

Ecology
Usually associated with nearby aquatic habits. Washing food may simply be dabbling at waters edge. Fixed motor pattern used to search for prey. Extremely sensitive fore- paws (Kaufmann 1982).

Reproductive Characteristics
Breeds during February and March; 63 day gestation; young born during April or May; litter size is usually two to four. Mates February to June with peak activity in March. Most litters born in May, some as late as September although late litters have little chance of surviving. Young are mobile within 10 weeks. Spend first winter with or near mother (Kaufmann 1982).


References
  • Literature Cited AboveLegend:   View Online Publication
    • Kaufmann, J. H. 1982. Raccoon and allies. In: Chapman, J. H. and G. A. Feldhamer (eds). Wild mammals of North America, pp. 567-585. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1147 pp.
  • Additional ReferencesLegend:   View Online Publication
    Do you know of a citation we're missing?
    • Allen, A.W. 1987. The relationship between habitat and furbearers. Pages 164-179 in M. Novak, J.A. Baker, M.E. Obbard, and B. Malloch, eds. Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Trappers Assn. and Ontario Ministry Nat. Res., Toronto, Ontario.
    • Allen, T.D.H. 2011. Wildlife guards for deer and Black Bear. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, Montana: Montana State University. 71 p.
    • Andis, Adam. 2016. Performance measures of road crossing structures from relative movement rates of large mammals. M.S. Thesis. University of Montana. Missoula, MT.
    • Bacon, L.M. 1996. Nesting ecology of the Interior Least Tern on the Yellowstone River, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. 69 p.
    • Bauer, Delane, 2002, 2002 Four Seasons Wildlife Study. Savage Mine Report, Richland County, Montana.
    • Butts, T.W., Western Technology and R.L. Eng. 1993. Continental Lime Indian Creek Mine, Townsend, MT. Life of Mine Wildlife Reconnaissance. In Life-of-Mine Amendment. Continental Lime, Inc., Indian Creek Mine & Plant. Vol. 2. October 13, 1992.
    • Carlsen, T. and R. Northrup. 1992. Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area Final Draft Management Plan. March 1992.
    • Chapman, J.A., and G.A. Feldhamer. 1982. Wild mammals of North America: biology, management, and economics. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
    • Confluence Consulting Inc. 2010. Montana Department of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports (various sites). MDT Helena, MT.
    • Confluence Consulting Inc. 2011. Montana Department of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports (various sites). MDT Helena, MT.
    • Confluence Consulting Inc. 2012. Montana Department of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports (various sites). MDT Helena, MT.
    • Confluence Consulting Inc. 2013. Montana Department of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports (various sites). MDT Helena, MT.
    • Cross, James, and Richard P. Weckwerth, 1978, Upland Game Bird (and Fur Survey) Inventory. Wildlife Investigations, Region One. W-130-R-9, Job No. II-1, July 1, 1977 - June 30, 1978.
    • Cross, James, and Richard P. Weckwerth, 1980, Upland Game Bird (and Fur Survey) Inventory. Wildlife Investigations, Region One. W-130-R-11, Job No. II-1, July 1, 1979 - June 30, 1980.
    • Cross, James, and Richard P. Weckwerth, 1981, Upland Game Bird (and Fur Survey) Inventory. Wildlife Investigations, Region One. W-130-R-12, Job No. II-1, July 1, 1980 - June 30, 1981.
    • Cross, James, and Richard P. Weckwerth, 1982, Upland Game Bird (and Fur Survey) Inventory. Wildlife Investigations, Region One. W-130-R-13, Job No. II-1, July 1, 1981 - June 30, 1982.
    • Cross, James, and Richard P. Weckwerth, 1983, Upland Game Bird (and Fur Survey) Inventory. Wildlife Investigations, Region One. W-130-R-14, Job No. II-1, July 1, 1982 - June 30, 1983.
    • Deems, E.F., Jr. and D. Pursley (eds). 1978. North American furbearers: their management, research and harvest status in 1976. Int. Assoc. Fish and Wildlife Agencies and University of Maryland. 171 p.
    • Dood, A.R. 1980. Terry Badlands nongame survey and inventory final report. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and Bureau of Land Management, Helena, MT. 70 pp.
    • ECON, Inc. (Ecological Consulting Service), Helena, MT., 1977, Colstrip 10 x 20 Area wildlife and wildlife habitat annual monitoring report, 1977. Proj. 164-85-A. December 31, 1977.
    • ECON, Inc. (Ecological Consulting Service), Helena, MT., 1979, Area B four-section wildlife report. August 3, 1979.
    • Foresman, K.R. 2001. The wild mammals of Montana. American Society of Mammalogists, Special Publication Number 12. Lawrence, KS. 278 pp.
    • Foresman, K.R. 2012. Mammals of Montana. Second edition. Mountain Press Publishing, Missoula, Montana. 429 pp.
    • Gniadek, S. 1983. Southwest Glendive Wildlife Baseline Inventory. Miles City, Mont: Bureau of Land Management, Miles City District Office. 56 pp with appendices.
    • Hendricks, P., S. Lenard, D.M. Stagliano, and B.A. Maxell. 2013. Baseline nongame wildlife surveys on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Report to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 83 p.
    • Hoffmann, R.S. and D.L. Pattie. 1968. A guide to Montana mammals: identification, habitat, distribution, and abundance. Missoula, MT: University of Montana. 133 p.
    • Hoffmann, R.S., P.L. Wright, and F.E. Newby. 1969. The distribution of some mammals in Montana. I. Mammals other than bats. Journal of Mammalogy 50(3): 579-604.
    • Joslin, Gayle, and Heidi B. Youmans. 1999. Effects of recreation on Rocky Mountain wildlife: a review for Montana. [Montana]: Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
    • Land & Water Consulting, Inc., Missoula, MT., 2002, Montana Dept. of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Report, Year 2001: Lawrence Park, Kalispell, Montana. Proj. No. 130091.008. July 2002. In 2001 Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports, Vol. I.
    • Land & Water Consulting, Inc., Missoula, MT., 2002, Montana Dept. of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Report, Year 2002: Big Spring Creek, Lewistown, Montana. Proj. No. 130091.029. February 2003. In 2002 Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports, Vol. I.
    • Land & Water Consulting, Inc., Missoula, MT., 2002, Montana Dept. of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Report, Year 2002: Cow Coulee, Townsend, Montana. Proj. No. 130091.013. February 2003. In 2002 Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports, Vol. I.
    • Lokemoen, J.T. 1993. Increasing waterfowl nesting success on islands and peninsulas. Ch. 13.2.11 In: Waterfowl Management Handbook. Fish and Wildlife Service Leaflet. 7 p.
    • Lotze, J.H. and S. Anderson. 1979. Procyon lotor. Mammalian Species 119:1-8.
    • Lyons, T.P., J.R. Miller, D.M. Debinski, and D.M. Engle. 2014. Predator identity influences the effect of habitat management on nest predation. Ecological Applications 25(6): 1596-1605.
    • Martin, P.R., K. Dubois and H.B. Youmans. 1981. Terrestrial wildlife inventory in selected coal areas, Powder River resources area final report. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Bureau of Land Management, Helena, MT. No. YA-553-CTO- 24. 288 p.
    • Matthews, W.L. 1980a. Wibaux-Beach comparison study: Sydney, Glendive and Plevna Study Areas. Bureau of Land Management, Miles City, MT. 50 p.
    • Matthews, W.L. 1981. Broadus-Pumpkin Creek baseline inventory - wildlife. Bureau of Land Management, Miles City, MT. 83 p.
    • Maxell, B.A. 2016. Northern Goshawk surveys on the Beartooth, Ashland, and Sioux Districts of the Custer-Gallatin National Forest: 2012-2014. Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena, MT. 114pp.
    • Montana Greater Sage-Grouse Working Group. 2000. Management plan and covservation strategies for Greater Sage-Grouse in Montana.
    • Morrison-Maierle Env. Corp., Helena, MT., 1993, Biological assessment and wildlife reconnaissance, Holnam Cement Plant, Trident, Montana. In Application to Amend Operating Permit 00004 for Trident Quarries, Three Forks, Montana. Exhibit DD: Wildlife Reconnaisance Study. June 28, 1996.
    • Oechsli, L.M. 2000. Ex-urban development in the Rocky Mountain West: consequences for native vegetation, wildlife diversity, and land-use planning in Big Sky, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman. 73 p.
    • Powder River Eagle Studies, Inc., Gillette, WY., 1999, Spring Creek Mine 1998 Wildlife Monitoring. March 1999.
    • Purdum, Jeremiah P. 2013. Acceptance of wildlife crossing structures on US Highway 93 Missoula, Montana. M.S. Thesis. University of Montana. Missoula, MT.
    • Reid, F. 2006. Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America, 4th Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston and New York, 608 pp.
    • Ritke, M.E., and M.L. Kennedy. 1988. Intraspecific morphologic variation in the raccoon (Procyon lotor) and its relationship to selected environmental variables. Southwestern Naturalist. 33:295-314.
    • Rust, H. J. 1946. Mammals of northern Idaho. J. Mammal. 27(4): 308-327.
    • Schaaf, R.T., and J.S. Garton. 1970. Raccoon predation on the American toad, Bufo americanus. Herpetologica 26(3): 334-335.
    • Schoonover, L.J., and W.H. Marshall. 1951. Food habits of the raccoon (Procyon lotor hirtus) in north-central Minnesota. Journal of Mammalogy 32: 422-428.
    • Stearns-Roger Inc., 1975, Environmental baseline information of the Mount Vernon Region, Montana. January 31, 1975.
    • Thompson, L.S. 1981. Circle West wildlife monitoring study: Third annual report. Technical report No. 8. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Helena, Montana.
    • Thompson, W. L. 1993. Ecology of Merriam's Turkeys in relation to burned and logged areas in southeastern Montana. Ph.D. Dissertation. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. 195 p.
    • Urban, D. 1970. Raccoon populations, movement patterns and predation on a managed waterfowl marsh. J. Wildl. Manage. 34(2): 372-382.
    • USDI Fish and Wildlife Service., 1961, A Detailed report on fish and wildlife resources affected by McNamara Dam and Reservoir, Blackfoot River Project, Montana. June 1961.
    • Waage, Bruce C., 1995, Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine, Colstrip, Montana:1994 Annual Wildlife Monitoring Report; December 1, 1993 - November 30, 1994. February 27, 1995.
    • Waage, Bruce C., 1997, Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine, Colstrip, Montana: 1996 Annual Wildlife Monitoring Report; December 1, 1995 - November 30, 1996 Survey Period. February 28, 1997.
    • Waage, Bruce C., 1999, Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine, Colstrip, Montana: 1998 Annual Wildlife Monitoring Report; December 1, 1997 - November 30, 1998 Survey Period. February 24, 1999.
    • Waage, Bruce C., 2000, Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine, Colstrip, Montana: 1999 Annual Wildlife Monitoring Report; December 1, 1998 - November 30, 1999. February 2000.
    • Waage, Bruce C., 2002, Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine, Colstrip, Montana. 2001 Annual Wildlife Monitoring Report; December 1, 2000 - November 30, 2001. Febr. 26, 2002.
    • Western EcoTech, Helena, MT., 1999, Wetland delineation report for the Haskins Landing Proposed Wetland Mitigation Area. MWFE? June 2, 1999.
    • Western Energy Co., Colstrip, MT. Unpub., 1983, Western Energy Company's Application for Amendment to Surface Mining Permit NO. 8003, Area B: sections 7, 8, 17,18 T1N R41E, sections 12, 13 T1N R40E, Mining Expansion. March 1983.
    • Western Energy Co., Colstrip, MT., 1981, Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine, Colstrip, Montana: Annual Wildlife Report, 1981.
    • Western Energy Co., Colstrip, MT., 1982, Western Energy Company Rosebud Mine, Colstrip, Montana: Annual Wildlife Report, 1982.
    • Western Technology & Engineering, Inc. (WESTECH)., 1991, 1991 Bull Mountains Mine No. 1 Terrestrial Wildlife Monitoring Study. In Meridian Minerals Company Bull Mountains Mine No. 1 Permit Application, Musselshell County, Montana. Vol. 7 of 14: Section 26
    • Western Technology and Engineering, Inc. (WESTECH). 1994. Wildlife Monitoring Absaloka Mine Area Annual Report, 1993. Montana SMP 85005. OSMP Montana 0007c. Mar. 12, 1994.
    • Western Technology and Engineering, Inc. (WESTECH)., 1996, Wildlife Monitoring Absaloka Mine Area Annual Report, 1995. Montana SMP 85005. OSMP Montana 0007D. Febr. 23, 1996.
    • Western Technology and Engineering, Inc. (WESTECH)., 1999, Wildlife Monitoring Absaloka Mine Area Annual Report, 1998. SMP 85005. OSMP Montana 0007E. April 1999.
    • Western Technology and Engineering, Inc. (WESTECH)., 2000, Wildlife Monitoring Absaloka Mine Area Annual Report, 1999. Montana SMP 85005. OSMP Montana 0007E. February 2000.
    • Western Technology and Engineering, Inc. (WESTECH)., 2001, Wildlife Monitoring Absaloka Mine Area Annual Report, 2000. Montana SMP 85005. OSMP Montana 0007E. February 2001.
    • Western Technology and Engineering, Inc., Helena, MT., 1989, Reconnaissance of the wildlife resources in the vicinity of the Kendall Venture Mine. January 1989. In Kendall Venture North Moccasin Project: Amendment to Operating Permit 00122, Fergus County, Montana. Vol. 2, App. A, Feb., 1989.
    • Wetlands West, Inc., Bozeman, MT., and Land & Water Consulting, Inc., Missoula, MT., 2002, Montana Dept. of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Report, Year 2001: Vince Ames, Red Lodge, Montana. Proj. No. 130091.033. July 2002. In 2001 Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports, Vol. II.
    • Wetlands West, Inc., Bozeman, MT., and Land & Water Consulting, Inc., Missoula, MT., 2002, Montana Dept. of Transportation Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Report, Year 2001: Wigeon Reservoir, Alzada, Montana. Proj. No. 130091.028. July 2002. In 2001 Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Reports, Vol. II.
    • Whitney, L. F. 1952. The raccoon. Practical Science Pub. Co. Orange, CT 177pp.
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Citation for data on this website:
Raccoon — Procyon lotor.  Montana Field Guide.  .  Retrieved on , from