Raccoon
Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Raccoon (IPA: /rəˈkuːn/), also known as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, or coon, is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. The raccoon is the largest of the Procyonidae family, having a body length of 40 to 70 cm (16 to 28 in) and a body weight of 5 to 26 kg (11 to 57 lb).
Etymology
The word "raccoon" was adopted into English from the native Powhatan term, as used in the Virginia Colony. It was recorded on Captain John Smith's list of Powhatan words as aroughcun, and on that of William Strachey as arathkone. It has also been identified as a Proto-Algonquian root *ahrah-koon-em, meaning "[the] one who rubs, scrubs and scratches with its hands".
Description
Raccoons are noted for their intelligence, with studies showing that they are able to remember the solution to tasks for at least three years. They are usually nocturnal and omnivorous, eating about 40% invertebrates, 33% plant foods, and 27% vertebrates.
Related Terms
- Procyonidae: The family that raccoons belong to.
- Nocturnal: Refers to animals that are active during the night.
- Omnivorous: Refers to animals that eat both plants and other animals.
- Invertebrates: Animals that do not have a backbone.
- Vertebrates: Animals that have a backbone.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Raccoon
- Wikipedia's article - Raccoon
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski