Raccoon

By: S.B.

Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus Species | Work Cited

Kingdom: Animalia

• A raccoon is a heterotroph

• It lacks rigid cell walls

• It is multicellular

• It is made up of cells organized into tissue

Phylum: Chordata

• Bilateral symmetry

• Complete digestive system

• Segmented body

• Tail protecting beyond anus at some stage of development

Class: Mammalia

• Has 3 middle ear bones

• Hair

• Mammary glands

• Milk

Order: Carnivora

• Medium-sided

• Great sense of smell

• Big brain

• Excellent  runner

• Simple stomach

Family: Procyonidae

• It includes 18 species

• Procyonids are generally small

• Omnivorous

Genus Species: Procyon Lotor   

 Raccoons

Wouldn't it be cool to have a black mask like a raccoon?  A raccoon, or a procyon lotor, is part of the phylum corata, and is a vertebrate.  Raccoons are really quiet interesting, especially in their characteristics and their habitat.

    Raccoons have many unique physical characteristics that help them survive in the wild.  For example, one characteristic is that raccoons have relatively small feet.  This shows that raccoons can walk on small edges and narrow paths.  Another characteristic is that their tail is 42% to 52% of their body length.  This shows that raccoons can use their tail to balance on things.  Lastly, probably the most widely know of them all, is their black mask that runs across its face.  This shows that all their characteristics together allows them to walk on a tree branch, quietly, camouflaged, and perfectly balanced, and be unseen by their prey.  Overall, Raccoons can be a lethal predator in the wild.

   Raccoons habitats affect the raccoon, too.  For example, living in a hole increases its chances of survival. This shows that raccoons may be protected by the weather and other predators.  In addition, raccoons prefer to build their dens in trees.  This shows that raccoons take their chances, and do what they like.  Lastly, raccoons are extremely adapted to al the different habitats they live in.  This shows that raccoons can live in the wild by themselves.  In conclusion, raccoons can be affected by their habitats.  

    Wouldn't it be great to have a black mask like a raccoon?  To protect them we need to stop people from making them into "Davy Crocket" hats.

Sneaky creatures,   Black as night, face of white,   This is a raccoon.

Work Cited:

Procyon Lotor. May 2000. University of Michigan. 16 Apr. 2003 <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/procyon/p._lotor$narrative.html>.

Muzzy, Catherine. Personal interview. 16 Apr. 2003.

Procyon Lotor. May 2000. University of Michigan. 16 Apr. 2003 <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/procyon/p._lotor$media.html#photos>.

The End.

Return to index.