Crab-eating raccoon

The crab-eating raccoon or South American raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) is a species of raccoon native to marshy and jungle areas of Central and South America (including Trinidad and Tobago). It is found from Costa Rica south through most areas of South America east of the Andes down to northern Argentina and Uruguay.[1] Despite its name, this species is not restricted to eating only crabs, and the common raccoon also seeks and eats crabs where they are available.

Crab-eating raccoon
In Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae
Genus: Procyon
Species:
P. cancrivorus
Binomial name
Procyon cancrivorus
(G. Cuvier, 1798)
Subspecies
  • P. c. cancrivorus
  • P. c. aequatorialis
  • P. c. nigripes
  • P. c. panamensis
Crab-eating raccoon range

Diet

The crab-eating raccoon eats crab, lobster, crayfish and other crustaceans and shellfish, such as oysters and clams. It is an omnivore and its diet also includes, for example, small amphibians, turtle eggs, and fruits. It resembles its northern cousin, the common raccoon, in having a bushy ringed tail and "bandit mask" of fur around its eyes. Unlike the common raccoon, the hair on the nape of the neck points towards the head, rather than backward.[2] The crab-eating raccoon also appears to be more adapted to an arboreal lifestyle than the common raccoon, with sharper, narrower claws. It also is better adapted for a diet of hard-shelled food, with most of the cheek teeth being larger than those of the common raccoon, with broader, rounded cusps. Although the crab-eating raccoon can appear smaller and more streamlined than the common raccoon due to its much shorter fur and more gracile build, the crab-eating raccoon is of similar dimensions to the northern species. Head and body length is 41 to 80 cm (16 to 31 in), tail length is 20 to 56 cm (8 to 22 in) and height at the shoulder is about 23 cm (9 in). Weights can range from 2 to 12 kg (4 to 26 lb), though are mostly between 5 and 7 kg (11 and 15 lb).[3] Males are usually larger than the females.

Behavior

The crab-eating raccoon is solitary and nocturnal, primarily terrestrial but will spend a significant amount of time in trees. It is almost always found near streams, lakes, and rivers. In Panama and Costa Rica, where it is sympatric with the common raccoon, it will be strictly found in inland rivers and streams, while the common raccoon lives in mangrove forests. Less frequently, it will reside in evergreen forests or the plains, but are only rarely found in rainforests.[2] Compared to the common raccoon, which thrives in urban environments and adapts quickly to the presence of humans, the crab-eating raccoon adapts less easily and is much less likely to be found in human environments.

Reproduction

The crab-eating raccoon breeds between July and September, and gestation lasts between 60 and 73 days. Offspring are born in crevices, hollow trees, or abandoned nests from other creatures. Between 2 and 7 kits are born, with 3 being the average. While typically crab-eating raccoons only breed once per year, if a female loses all her kits early in the season, they will mate again and have a second litter. Males have no part in raising young, and while attending to young, females will become much more territorial and will not tolerate other raccoons around them.[4]

  • Drawing of a crab-eating Raccoon drawn between 1637 - 1644 by Frans Post.
  • Skins of a common raccoon (left) and crab-eating raccoon (right).
  • Skulls of a common raccoon (left) and crab-eating raccoon (right).
  • With brown coat and a much smaller facial mask.
  • Head of the crab-eating raccoon
  • Crab-eating raccoon in the wild

References
  1. Reid, F. & Helgen, K. (2008). "Procyon cancrivorus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2009.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Zeveloff, Samuel (2002). Raccoons: a natural history. Smithsonian Books. ISBN 978-1588340337.
  3. Burnie D and Wilson DE (Eds.), Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife. DK Adult (2005), ISBN 0789477645
  4. "Procyon cancrivorus". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
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