Raccoon

By: T.B.

To hear raccoon noises click here.

                       Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genius Species | Works Cited

Kingdom: Animalia

• All animals are members of the the kingdom Animalia, also called Metazoa.

• Animal calls lack the rigid cell walls that characterize plant cells.

• Somewhere around 9 or 10 million species of animals inhabit the earth.

• Research continues on the evolutionary relationships of the major groups of animals.

• Most ingest food and digest it in a internal cavity. 

Phylum: Chordata

• Complete digestive system.

• Bony or cartilaginous endoskeleton usually present.

• tail projecting beyond the anus at some stage of development.  

• Three germ layers and a well-developed body cavity.

• Both sides look the same.

Class: Mamalia

• 3 middle ear bones, mammary glands.

• Mammals have hair.

• Mammals feed their newborn young with milk.

• most mammals include highly differentiated teeth. 

• the class Mammalian includes around 500 species placed in 26 orders.

Order: carnivora

• The carnivoria is the result of a great tradition of mammals that ate meat.

•  Carnivores tend to be medium-sized animals; too small and they couldn't find enough within their capacity to kill.

• Most have have relatively large brains.

• Many are excellent runners.

Family: Procyonidae

• The raccoon family includes 18 species in 6 genera.

• Procyonids are generally small to medium sized animals, ranging from slightly less than 1kg to over 20kg in weight.

• Procyonid skulls have relatively short rostrums ( shorter than canids, longer than fields).

• Procyonids are omnivores.

Genius and Species: Procyon and Procyon lotor

       Raccoons are one of a kind creature. The raccoon is a extraordinary animal that has many topics that help him survive. Raccoons are the best at what they do and they are the only animal that can do what the raccoon can do. The raccoon has many characteristics that help it survive in its environment. For example, one characteristic is the raccoon has a black mask on his face. This characteristic shows that the mask is n\most likely used for camouflage. Another characteristic is raccoons have a bushy tail. This characteristic also shows that the bushy tail gives them warmth. Another characteristic is their tails comprise about 42% to 52% of their length. This characteristic shows that their tail helps them balance. In its environment the raccoon has many characteristic that help it survive. 

        In the raccoons habitat it has many elements that help it survive. For example, "Raccoons are extremely adaptable and continue to thrive despite the encroachment of civilization on their range." This element means that the raccoon can adapt to any environment. This element is "Woodlands near water are their preferred habitat, although raccoons may also be found in farmlands, suburban or urban areas." this element also means that raccoons prefer their habitat in the woodlands near water. Another element is "living in a burrow actually increases the raccoons chances of survival by making it harder for its predators to find it.'' this element also helps them survive by living in a burrow. Their are many elements that the raccoon has that help it survive. 

Wouldn't it be great to have a bushy tail like the raccoon has to wrap around yourself to give off warmth. We should protect the raccoons environment by not polluting it and teasing them.              

the raccoon is sly they have a black and white mask they are like robbers

  http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Amphitheatre/9084/staying.wav

Works Cited Raccoons. May 2000. University of Michigan museum of zoology. 6 Mar. 2003 <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/procyon/p._lotor$narrative.html>.
http:// Muzzy, Catherine. personal Interview. 4/16/03.raccoon pictures. 1994. 9 Apr. 2003 <http:/www.loomcom.com/raccoons/gallery/>http://raccoon sounds. Dec. 2002. world wide raccoon web. 9 Mar. 2003 <http://www.geocities.com/~octodont/racvidsound.html>.

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