Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoons are comfortable inhabitants of San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Their primary hunting grounds include the shallow channels, where they pursue aquatic prey, utilizing their tactile, hand-like front paws to search for shellfish. Distinguishable by their distinctive hunched loping stride and banded, bushy tail, raccoons are quite recognizable even from afar.

Fun Fact:
Raccoons normally amble along at a leisurely pace, but if necessary they can run at 15 mph.

What’s for Lunch:
Shellfish, frogs, insects, rodents, eggs, fruits, nuts, and berries

Where’s Home:
Under a tangle of fallen trees, in a culvert, or in a neighboring backyard woodpile