PROCYONIDAE - Raccoons, Coatis, Olingos, Kinkajous & Cocomistles

The raccoon family includes 18 species in 6 genera. We follow Wilson and Reeder (1993) in placing red pandas, Ailurus, in the Ursidae rather than in this family. Thus restricted, the Procyonidae is restricted to the New World, from southern Canada to northern Argentina. Procyonids can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including desert, northern forests, tropical rainforest, and wetlands.

Procyonids are generally small to medium-sized animals, ranging from slightly less than 2 pounds to over 40 pounds in weight. Head and body length is 11.6 inches to 26.6 inches, tail length from 8 inches to 27 inches.  Males are about 1/5 larger and heavier than females.  Some species have slender bodies, while others are stocky. All have medium or long tails. The pelage is gray or brown, sometimes with contrasting markings on the face and light and dark rings around the tail. Most species have relatively short, broad faces; and short but erect ears, which may be rounded or pointed. Forefeet and hindfeet have 5 digits with the third being the largest, and procyonids are plantigrade, often walking with a bear-like shuffle. The claws are short and curved. In some species they can be partially retracted, and in several genera the soles are haired. The tail of of species, the kinkajou, is prehensile, and that of coatis is very mobile and is used for balancing during climbing. Males have a baculum.

Procyonid skulls have relatively short rostrums (shorter than canids, longer than felids). They lack alisphenoid canals, but they have well-developed paroccipital processes. Their incisors are unspecialized, and their canines are moderately long and ovate (not round) in cross section. The molars are wide and at least somewhat bunodont. Most species lack secodont carnassials. The dental formula is 3/3, 1/1, 3-4/3-4, 2/2-3 = 36-42.

Procyonids are omnivorous. They consume both plant and animal material, including small mammals and birds. Some species are social, living in family groups or bands containing a number of families. Others are solitary. All species are to some degree arboreal, often seeking refuge in the trees when pursued by predators. Most are nocturnal, often denning in hollow trees during the day.

The geological range of the Procyonidae is early Oligocene to Recent in North America, late Miocene to Recent in South America, late Eocene to early Pleistocene in Europe, and early Miocene to Recent in Asia.  

Information taken from Walker's Mammals of the World, Fifth Edition