Procyon cancrivorus
crab-eating raccoon

Procyon cancrivorus is found from Costa Rica through eastern and western Paraguay, Uruguay, and into northern Argentina. Its range overlaps with that of northern raccoons in Costa Rica and Panama. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Eisenberg and Redford, 1999)

Procyon cancrivorus and P. lotor are very similar and closely related. Both species can be found in a variety of habitats, including primary and secondary growth forest. Procyon cancrivorus makes use of habitats ranging from the forest of Ilanos, to the xeric chaco vegetation, and even the Amazon rainforests. As long as there are water, food, and places to hide and den, this raccoon will adapt. However, P. cancrivorus seems somewhat more restricted than P. lotor in habitat preferences. Procyon cancrivorous occupies areas around bodies of water, such as swamps, lakes, lagoons, and ocean beaches. Where both species overlap, crab-eating raccoons mainly occupy lands surrounding inland rivers, whereas northern raccoons occupy swamps and beaches.

This species is generally found at lower elevations. (De Fatima, et al., 1999; De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Eisenberg and Redford, 1999)

Crab-eating raccoons are nocturnal, omnivorous/frugivorous animals. Body weights range from 3 to 7 kg. Body lengths are reported as being between 54 and 65 cm, with the tail comprising 25 to 38 cm of the total length. Males tend to be larger than the females.

Procyon cancrivorus is smaller than P. lotor, which helps to distinguish the two species. Male northern raccoons weigh from 7 to 8.3 kg, with the females weighing from 5.1 to 7.1 kg.

The neck fur of crab-eating raccoons slants forward towards the head. These animals appear thinner than P. lotor due to the lack of underfur, an adaptation to the warmer climates it occupies. The black mask of P. cancrivorus fades behind the eyes, unlike the northern species, which has a mask that extends almost to the ears. Pelage of P. cancrivorus is a fairly uniform brown dorsally, making it easily distinguishable from the more grizzled appearance of P. lotor. The legs and feet of P. cancrivorus are dark brown and slender in appearance compared to the white forelegs and whitish-brown hind legs of P. lotor. The tail makes up approximately 60% of the body length in P. lotor, but only 50% in P. cancrivorus.

Dental Formula: I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/2 = 40 teeth (De Fatima, et al., 1999; De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Eisenberg and Redford, 1999; Feldhamer, et al., 2003)

Not much is known on the BMR of crab-eating raccoons. However, there is adequate information on the northern species, P. lotor. Northern raccoons have a higher mass-specific BRM than other procyonids, which explains why this species has a more widespread distribution. Their metabolic rates do not vary seasonally. Both males and females tend to lose or gain weight among seasons, gaining in the winter and losing in the summer. (De Fatima, et al., 1999; De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Eisenberg and Redford, 1999)

Males are polygynous, mating with several females in succession, but females reject other males once they are impregnated. Both sexes are mature after a year. However, younger males usually do not breed because they can not compete with larger, older males. (Eisenberg and Redford, 1999; Nowak, 1999)

Procyon cancrivorus breeds once per year between July and September. The estrous cycle has been estimated to last 80 to 140 days. The gestation period lasts approximately 60 to 73 days and can yield from 2 to 7 pups, although 3 or 4 pups per litter is more typical. Females give birth to their young in dens located in rock crevices, hollow trees, or in the abandoned dens of other animals.

Young raccoons are born without teeth and with their eyes closed. After 3 weeks their eyes open and they begin to show the characteristic mask on their faces. The young are weaned anywhere between 7 weeks and 4 months, and are independent at about 8 months. Procyon cancrivorus undoubtedly falls within this range of variation. If a female loses a newborn litter, she may ovulate a second time during the season.

In areas where P. lotor and P. cancrivorus are both found, there does not appear to be any inbreeding. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Feldhamer, et al., 2003; Nowak, 1999)

Females provide all the parental care for the young, and may exclude males from the immediate area while they have young. The mother reduces her activity and movements during the week of parturition and becomes intolerant of conspecifics. The young begin to forage with their mother before they are weaned. They are dependent upon the female for up to 8 months, but there is some variation. Males are not actively involved in caring for the young. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Feldhamer, et al., 2003; Nowak, 1999)

Data are lacking on the longevity of P. cancrivorus. However, few raccoons live longer than 5 years in the wild, although some are estimated to survive for 13 to 16 years. In 1982, a northern raccon was still surviving in a zoo after 20 years and seven months. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Nowak, 1999)

Raccoons have well-developed senses and are very intelligent. They are nocturnal and color blind, but have excellent night vision. Their tactile senses are what separate raccoons from other carnivores. They have a well-developed sense of touch, especially in the nose and forepaws (hands), and they use their hands as tools. They use their hands to handle and manipulate food before placing it in their mouths. They are dexterous, and can manipulate small prey items. Raccoons can be observed dipping their hands in the water and “washing” their food before ingesting it. Some intelligence studies have placed raccoons above cats but below primates in their ability to discriminate objects. It was also observed that raccoons can learn quickly and can retain knowledge for up to a year.

Male raccoons are solitary, but will tolerate other males around a feeding area. During breeding season, young males usually disperse to other areas, whereas young females stay within their mother’s home range. In general, raccoons are solitary, even where there are overlapping home ranges between the sexes. There is little interaction between individuals, but exceptions do occur during denning and at food aggregations.

Male social behavior may be driven by the densities and spatial distribution of females. Female distributions are limited by resources such as den sites, water, and food. However, little is known about variation in social structure among various species of raccoons. It is assumed that P. cancrivorus is like other members of the genus in general behavioral patterns. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Feldhamer, et al., 2003; Nowak, 1999)

There is not much known about the home range size of crab-eating raccoons.

Crab-eating raccoons have good hearing capabilities, and are keen to strange noises. Even though they are color blind, they have excellent nighttime vision. Their tactile senses are what really set them apart from other carnivores. This tactile sense allows them to identify food items better than any other senses. There has been 13 different vocalizations recognized, 7 of which involved the mother and young. Although not specifically reported for this species, it is likely that, as in other mammals, scent cues play some role in reproduction and identification of individuals. (Feldhamer, et al., 2003)

For the most part, P. cancrivorus is omnivorous, but fruit has been observed to be the main part of its diet. Crab-eating raccoons consume a variety of foods, including invertebrates, crustaceans, insects, nuts, vegetables, fish, frogs, and small turtles. Olfaction, vision, and their sense of touch are used to identify and capture food. The diet may change with season and food availability. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Feldhamer, et al., 2003)

Details on predation of these animals are lacking. However, it is likely that P. cancrivorus does fall prey to larger carnivores. Procyon lotor is known to be preyed upon by bobcats, coyotes, American alligators, and several species of owls. It is likely that P. cancrivorus has similar predators. Humans may hunt these animals for fur and food. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Feldhamer, et al., 2003)

As predators, these raccoons have some impact on prey species. As prey, they may affect predator populations.

Procyon cancrivorus is an important furbearer and game species. It generates revenue from the sale of fur. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Feldhamer, et al., 2003; De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Feldhamer, et al., 2003)

Procyon cancrivorus is a carrier of rabies, and can sometimes damage crops, but usually not to a serious extent. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000; Feldhamer, et al., 2003)

Northern raccoons are managed as a game species through both hunting and trapping. There is currently no management in Central America for crab-eating raccoons. However, even though P. cancrivorus is less common than P. lotor, it is still doing well in the wild. (De La Rosa and Nocke, 2000)

Many references generalize by just saying "raccoons". By just saying "raccoons", we assume that are including both P. cancrivorus and P. lotor, both of which were discussed throughout this account.