Raccoon
or RACOON, the genus Procyon and especially P. lotor, a handsome animal, about the size of a large cat, brown furry hair; tail bushy and ringed; body large and unwieldy, legs short, feet with strong fossorial claws.
It is omnivorous and ranges over a large part of North America, where it is hunted for its fur. The crab-eating raccoon (P. cancrivorus), from South America, ranging as far N. as Panama, differs chiefly from the former in the RACHEL shortness of its fur, and consequent slender shape.