MundoAndino Home : Colombia Guide at Mundo Andino
Crab-eating Raccoon
Related topics:
Fauna of Colombia
Mammals of Peru
Mammals of Bolivia
Mammals of Argentina
Mammals of Ecuador
Mammals of Colombia
Mammals of Venezuela
Fauna of Colombia Forum
The Crab-eating Raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) is a species of raccoon native to marshy and jungle areas of Central and South America (including Trinidad and Tobago). That it is called the crab-eating raccoon does not mean that only this species will eat crabs, as the common raccoon will also seek and eat crabs where they are available.
The Crab-eating Raccoon eats crab, lobster, and other crustaceans, but 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. The crab-eating raccoon appears smaller and more streamlined than the common raccoon due to its much shorter fur, though it is of roughly similar dimensions. Head and body length is 41 to 60 cm (16-24 in), tail length is 20 to 42 cm (7.9-16.6 in), height at the shoulder is about 23 cm (9 in), and weights range from 2 to 12 kg (4.4-26.4 lb). Males are usually larger than the females.
Behavior
The crab-eating raccoon is solitary and nocturnal. It is almost always found near streams, lakes and rivers.
Reproduction
Young are born in July and August and are born three to a litter.
Gallery
File:Crab-eating Raccoon.jpg|Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica
Need more information for your travel research or homework?
Ask your questions at the forum about Fauna of Colombia or help others to find answers.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Crab-eating Raccoon
