PROCYONID

any member of the mammalian family Procyonidae (order Carnivora), including the raccoon and allied species. They are hunted for their fur and flesh, and sometimes kept as pets. Except for the lesser panda of East Asia, the living forms inhabit North and Central America. Procyonids are closely related to bears (Ursidae) and dogs (Canidae). They are small animals with long, often bushy and dark-banded tails. They are omnivorous. There are seven or eight living, and several extinct, genera. For more information on procyonid species and groups, see cacomistle; coati; kinkajou; olingo; panda; raccoon.