Raccoon predators how to#

( Cuarón, et al., 2009) Communication and Perception

In places where more food is available, territory size is smaller, in places where food is less available, territory size is larger.

Their home range is generally based on food availability. The territory size of individual pygmy raccoons has been estimated to be about 67 ha. Pygmy raccoons are generally solitary, but sometimes individuals will form family groups or temporary aggregations during mating seasons or to exploit human-related food sources. They are quite capable of climbing trees their rear feet can rotate 180 degrees, which allows them to descend from trees head-first.

Pygmy raccoons are generally plantigrade or semi-plantigrade. They build dens for shelter, but unlike most other raccoon species, they do not hibernate due to their semitropical habitat. Pygmy raccoons are mostly nocturnal, although they are sometimes seen during the day. In captivity, members of this genus may survive up to 17 years. In general, members of genus Procyon live 13 to 16 years. There is currently very little information available regarding the lifespan of pygmy raccoons specifically. post-independence association with parents.The young become independent when they are about 10 months old, however, in some cases, offspring will stay with their mothers for a short time immediately after sexual maturity, but eventually disperse to find mates. Offspring are typically weaned when they are about 16 weeks old.

Raccoon predators how to#

Males take no part in raising the young they are cared for, weaned and taught how to survive by the mother alone.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male) 2 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female) 1 years.

Breeding season The breeding season for most pygmy raccoons is September and November.

Breeding interval Pygmy raccoons generally breed once a year.

gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate).

Females generally become sexually mature after about 1 year, while males become sexually mature after about 2 years. After a 63 to 65 day gestation period, they have litters of 2 to 5 offspring, each weighing about 60 to 75 grams. However, some young are born in late summer during July and August, with a May and June breeding interval. The majority of births occur between November and January therefore, the breeding interval is September and November. ( Nowak, 1991 de Villa-Meza, et al., 2011)įemales reproduce once per year, breeding during one of two breeding seasons. During this period, males mate with as many females as possible and females will mate with more than one male. During the mating season, males and females usually congregate at certain areas during the females’ 3 to 4 day receptive period. Like all other raccoon species, pygmy raccoons are polygynandrous. ( McFadden and Meiri, 2013 de Villa-Meza, et al., 2011) Their canine sizes vary greatly between the sexes, male canines have an average length of 10.8 mm, while female canines only average 9.9 mm. Likewise, their tail length is about 79% as long as the mainland species, males have an average tail length of 24.4 cm and females have an average tail length of 24.2 cm. Adult pygmy raccoons have a mean total head and body length of 75.5 cm, which is about 90% of the length of the mainland species. Adult male pygmy raccoons have an average weight of 3.58 ± 0.52 kg, which is about 11% heavier than the average female weight of 3.28 ± 0.18 kg. They weigh about 45% less and are about 17.8% smaller than the Central American subspecies of mainland raccoons, Procyon lotor shufeldti. Pygmy raccoons are the smallest members of genus Procyon. Their tails have a golden tone and are segmented by 6 to 7 rings of dark fur. They have thick masks of dark fur around their eyes, which is surrounded on all sides by contrasting white fur. Their fur is primarily buffy gray, with dark hairs interspersed. Pygmy raccoons are similar in appearance to northern raccoons ( Procyon lotor). Pygmy raccoons ( Procyon pygmaeus) are endemic to Cozumel, a 486 square km island that lies roughly 17.5 km off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.