A raccoon is a medium-sized mammal with distinctive black fur around its eyes that looks like a mask, and a bushy tail marked with black and gray rings. Raccoons are native to North America and are known for being incredibly clever and adaptable animals.

Raccoons have nimble, hand-like front paws that they use almost like fingers, allowing them to open latches, unscrew jars, and manipulate objects with surprising skill. They're famous for appearing to “wash” their food by dunking it in water, though scientists believe they're actually using their sensitive paws to examine what they're about to eat.

These intelligent creatures thrive almost anywhere: forests, marshes, cities, and suburbs. In urban areas, raccoons have learned to raid garbage cans, break into attics, and find creative ways to get food, which sometimes creates conflicts with humans who consider them pests. A raccoon that's adapted to city life can solve complex problems, like figuring out how to open a “raccoon-proof” trash can.

Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they're active at night and sleep during the day. If you see a raccoon waddling through your yard after dark, it's probably searching for food like insects, frogs, nuts, or berries. While they look cuddly, raccoons are wild animals that can become aggressive if cornered or threatened, so it's best to admire them from a safe distance and never try to feed or touch them.