# data[].attributes.body
Reproduction: Raccoons mate in the late winter or early spring. The gestation period is approximately 63 days. Females give birth to the annual litter of 1-8 (average 2-5) in the den, which in the case of tree cavities, may contain sparse bedding of shredded wood.

# data[].attributes.body
Like their cousins, raccoons are true omnivores who eat a wide variety of foods, including nuts, seeds, fruits, eggs, insects, frogs, and crayfish. They will eat whatever is available, using their dexterous paws to pluck morsels from small hiding places.

# data[].attributes.body
Genetic diversity of raccoon has stayed polymorphic at almost same level as native habitat, and a high degree of genetic admixture was detected in regions where humans were highly populated. Some populations have maintained their own genetic structure, in areas of geographical barriers.

# data[].attributes.body
Raccoons are very adaptable, so they live in a wide range of climates and habitats.

# data[].attributes.body
Raccoons can sweat to cool off (mostly on their hands and feet); they also pant to help regulate their body temperature. Their best method for cooling off is to get into a river, pond, or stream

# data[].attributes.body
Like all mammals, raccoons have eukaryotic cells. The eukaryotic cells have organelles. Some of the organelles are a nucleus, ribosomes, Golgi bodies, vesicles, and the endoplasmic reticulum. They also have a cell membrane. The cells in the raccoon divide by mitosis and meiosis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Maintenance of skeletal muscle energy homeostasis during prolonged wintertime fasting in the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) - PubMed

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is a canid species with autumnal fattening and prolonged wintertime fasting. Nonpathological body weight cycling and the ability to tolerate food deficiency make this species a unique subject for studying physiological mechanisms in energy metabolism. AMP-a…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Welcome to CK-12 Foundation | CK-12 Foundation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
At Tara, we often see raccoon tracks near the edge of lakes and ponds where they often go to feed. Raccoons are nocturnal, so it isn't very common to see them in the daytime, but sometimes we see one out and about in the daylight.

Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they will feed on just about anything - fruits, crayfish, nuts, frogs, mice, insects, snakes, turtles, mollusks, worms, eggs, corn, and even our garbage!

The name for this masked mammal is derived from the Algonquian term arakun, which can be loosely translated to mean "he who scratches with his hands" (Raccoons: A Natural History by Samuel I. Zeveloff).

These masked mammals have an interesting biology with some pretty interesting abilities. These are some of our favorite facts about raccoons:

1. Raccoons are good swimmers. They can swim at speeds of up to 3 miles per hour and may spend a few hours in the water.

2. Their eyes may appear to glow red at night. The eyes of raccoons have a structure called a tapetum lucidum that reflects light, allowing them to see well in the dark. When a bright light like a flashlight shines directly into their eyes, they shine red!

3. These mammals are pretty fast! Although you usually see raccoons rambling around at a slow pace, they can run at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour, but not for very long.

4. In the winter, raccoons spend a lot of time sleeping. Although they don't hibernate, raccoons will store fat in the fall, which allows them to sleep in their dens for weeks at a time during periods of really cold weather.

5. When cornered by a predator, raccoons can be fierce. Raccoons will stand up to predators and have surprising strength for their size.

6. Raccoons have great dexterity. They can catch a flying insect and, as anyone who tries to keep them out of a trash can knows, they can open all sorts of latches and fasteners when they are after something.

7. They have a great sense of touch. Their front paws have four times as many sensory receptors in them as their back paws. This is similar to the hands and feet of humans.

8. They are probably colorblind. Since they are nocturnal, color isn't that important for their vision, so scientists think they are probably colorblind or at least can only weakly differentiate colors.

9. They sweat. Raccoons can sweat to cool off (mostly on their hands and feet); they also pant to help regulate their body temperature. Their best method for cooling off is to get into a river, pond, or stream.

10. They can climb down a tree face first or feet first. Talk about control - these mammals can climb down the trunk of a tree either way. If they climb down face first, they turn their feet outwards for a better grip.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Amazing Things You Never Knew About Raccoons - Tara Wildlife

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
At Tara, we often see raccoon tracks near the edge of lakes and ponds where they often go to feed. Raccoons are nocturnal, so it isn't very common to see them in the daytime, but sometimes we see one out and about in the daylight.