The raccoon is a common sight in the southeast. The medium sized mammal is the largest of the procyonid family with a body length of 16-28 inches and a body weight of 8-20 pounds. The raccoon is generally nocturnal, but they will venture out in the day time if they are comfortable in the situation. It has a grayish coat, and two of its most distinctive features are its very dexterous front paws and its facial mask, both of which are themes in the mythology of several Native American tribes. Studies have indicated that raccoons are able to remember the solution to tasks up to three years later.
Indigenous representation of the raccoon varies. Some tales center on its foraging skills, such as “How raccoons catch so many crayfish” from the Tuscarora. In other tales, the raccoon plays the role of the trickster. The Dakota Sioux believed the raccoon had natural spirit powers, since its mask resembled facial paintings used to connect to spirit beings.
