What kind of animal are raccoons and what characteristics do they have?

Raccoons are "good swimmers" and like to live in woods near rivers, lakes or ponds. They mostly move together in pairs or families. Raccoons mostly rest in trees during the day and come out at night. They often move around in trees and build their nests in trees. During the day they sleep in hollow trees and rocks or in holes in the ground. When stalked by a black bear, it will flee to the treetops to hide. In winter, raccoons in the north will hide in tree holes to hibernate. Raccoons are nocturnal animals. Canadians call it a mysterious thief if you go out after 12pm.

Extended information:

Raccoons are native to Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, the United States and other North America.

It is also found in Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, and Uzbekistan.

Raccoons only form pairs during the breeding season. Male raccoons will mate with several female bears at the same time, but female bears generally only accept one suitor. Male bears, who are usually docile and peaceful, often yell and fight with each other during mating season.

The mating season of raccoons is January or February, and the gestation period is 63 to 65 days. They give birth once a year. They give birth to young in April or May (affected by the weather), with 3 to 7 babies in one litter. But usually 4. They usually live in tree holes, ground holes or caves. The pups can be weaned by the end of summer and start living independently. Raccoons do not hibernate, but they do hide during harsh winters.

Raccoons generally only live a few years, with the longest known lifespan in the wild being 12 years.