or ringtail
Any of seven species of omnivorous, nocturnal carnivores (genus Procyon , family Procyonidae) characterized by a bushy, ringed tail and a black mask on the face.
The North American raccoon ( P. lotor ) has a stout body, short legs, pointed muzzle, and small erect ears. It is 30–36 in. (75–90 cm) long, including the 10-in. (25-cm) tail, and weighs over 22 lb (10 kg). The shaggy, coarse fur is iron-gray to blackish. The feet resemble slender human hands. Raccoons eat arthropods, rodents, frogs, berries, fruit, and plants; in towns and cities they thrive on garbage. They prefer woods near water and usually live in hollow trees. The crab-eating raccoon ( P. cancrivorus ) of South America is similar but has coarser fur.
North American raccoon ( Procyon lotor ).
Leonard Lee Rue III