Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Procyonidae
Genus:
Procyon
Species:
insularis
Subspecies:
P.i. insularis and
P.i.vicinus
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Natural History: There is little known about this species of raccoon. They only inhabit three small islands that are very illusive to the human population. Most experts say to just use what is known about the other Procyons to relate information to this species.
For exact raccoon information visit Raccoon Physiology or U of F ~ Raccoons.
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Description: The Tres Marias Raccoon looks a lot like the Common Raccoon. It does have the distinct facial markings that are equated with this Procyon species. This species is pale-brown with gray underparts and a golden tinge on the tail. It also from a distance seems to be about the size of the Common Raccoon but the head does looks a bit larger. The tracks of the Tres Marias seem to be the same size in length as the Common but they seem to be a little longer in width.
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Range: The Tres Marias raccoon inhabits the Tres Marias islands to the west of Nayarit off the western coast of Mexico.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THAT?
The Tres Marias Raccoon mainly is on two of the three islands, Maria Madre Island and Maria Magdalene Island. On Maria Madre it is thought that there are around 250 total but it is believed to be fully eradicated on Maria Magdelane.
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Diet: Mainly consisting of various arthropods, frogs, fish, nuts, seeds, acorns, and berries. Raccoons have been seen in captivity washing their food but it has not been recorded to be a washing behavior in the wild.
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status: This species of raccoon is endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, the size of its natural range, and they are being caught to be kept as local pets. This species was never very common to begin with and these problems have made it worse. It is considered threatened by the Mexican government and Endangered by the IUCN.
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IUCN
RedList Species Information
Lioncrusher's
Domain Animal Information Page
For more information contact Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison
This website was created by Rebecca Waters
Pensacola Junior College Zoo Technology Student Class of 2005
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