About Raccoons

The Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor), also known as the Northern Raccoon, Raccoon, or Coon, is a widespread, medium-sized, omnivorous mammal native to North America.

Raccoons are unusual, for their thumbs (though not opposable) enable them to open many closed containers (such as garbage cans and doors). They are omnivores with a reputation for being clever and mischievous; their intelligence and dexterity equip them to survive in a wide range of environments and are one of the few medium-to-large-sized animals that have enlarged its range since human encroachment began (another is the coyote). Raccoons are often considered a nuisance. Many people are surprised when a creature that they usually think of as cute or cuddly raids their campsite at night and makes odd growls and fights viciously over scraps of food left out by campers.

Although there is some variation depending on the species in question, raccoons range from 20-40 inches in length (including the tail) and weigh between 10 and 35 lbs. The raccoon's tail ranges from 8 to 16 inches in length. Male raccoons are generally larger than females. A baby raccoon is called a kit.

From wikipedia.