CALIFORNIA RACCOONS

PHOTOS

This permanent resident of Pine Mountain Club and the surrounding communities occupies all habitats except alpine and deserts without water. They are most abundant in riparian and wetland areas at low to middle elevations. Cover and dens can be found in cavities in trees, snags, logs, and rocky areas. Abandoned buildings and dense vegetation also provide cover. The raccoon is most active during the evening hours throughout the year except during winter months.

Raccoons are omnivorous and opportunistic carnivores. In spring they eat primarily animal matter such as: crayfish, fish, arthropods, amphibians, a few small mammals, birds, and eggs. In the summer and fall they eat large amounts of grains, acorns, other nuts, and fruits. Foraging occurs in all saline and freshwater riparian habitats, shallow water, vegetation, and on the ground.

Home ranges vary from 210 to 940 acres. Males tend to be territorial towards other males while females are not. In California, raccoons tend to breed from January through March. Most of the young are born from March through May with litters varying from one to eight. They are weaned between 60 and 90 days and become somewhat independent by about 130 days.