Main Characteristics

Crab-Eating Raccoons have a body length between 45 and 90 cms (18 - 35 inches), a tail length between 20 and 56 cms (8 - 22 inches) and they weigh between 2 and 12 kgs (4.5 - 26 lbs).

Their fur is short and it is brownish/grey in colour. They have a bushy tail that has alternating pale and dark rings and they have short, rounded ears. Their eyes are small and they have black eye patches which gives them the appearance of wearing a "bandit's mask".

Habitat

Crab-Eating Raccoons can be found in the jungle and marshy areas of central and South America. They are solitary and are active at night.

Diet

Crab-Eating Raccoons feed on fish, shellfish, crabs and aquatic insects.

Breeding

After a gestation period of 60 - 73 days, females give birth to 2 - 6 young in a leaf lined den. The youngsters are weaned by the time they are 4 months old and are independent at 8 months old. They reach sexual maturity at 1 year old.

Predators

Crab-Eating Raccoons are preyed upon by larger carnivores.

Subspecies

Subspecies of the Crab-Eating Raccoon include:

Procyon cancrivorus aequatorialis
Procyon cancrivorus cancrivorus
Procyon cancrivorus panamensis
Procyon cancrivorus nigripes

Interesting Facts

Crab-Eating Raccoons are also known as:
Mapache
Osito Lavador

Procyon comes from the greek words meaning "before the dog".

Similar Animals

Ringtail
Red Panda
Cacomistle
Common Raccoon
Mountain Coati
White-Nosed Coati
South American Coati