State Prints - Tn Treasures Raccoon

The Raccoon (Procyon lotor) became Tennessee's "Official Wild Animal" in (1972). This furry
animal has a bushy, ringed tail and a band of black hair around its eyes which looks like a mask.
Raccoons, often called coons, eat fish and frogs that they catch in rivers and streams. Raccoons
living in Tennessee measure from thirty to thirty-eight inches long, including their tails. They weigh
from twelve to twenty-five pounds. Most males are larger than females. Raccoons walk like bears,
with all four feet on the ground, and they are good swimmers.

Raccoons are extremely adaptable, being found in many habitats and easily living near humans.
They require ready access to water. Raccoons prefer to live in moist woodland areas. Raccoons
prefer to build dens in trees, but may also use caves, mines, barns, or houses. Raccoons can live in a
wide variety of habitats from warm, tropical areas to cold grasslands.