Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Species
- Procyon lotor
Habitat
This subspecies is endemic to the Tres Marias Islands off western Mexico, primarily inhabiting tropical dry forests and coastal scrublands. They adapt to various terrains including rocky areas and near human settlements, showing flexibility in island environments.
Diet
The Tres Marias raccoon is omnivorous, consuming fruits, insects, small vertebrates like lizards, and crustaceans found in coastal areas. They forage at night using their paws to probe for food, often in trees or along shorelines. Feeding behavior includes caching excess food for later use.
Behavior
Tres Marias raccoons are primarily nocturnal and solitary, though they may tolerate others near food sources. They exhibit territorial behavior by marking areas with scent and are skilled climbers and swimmers. Notable behaviors include dexterous manipulation of objects and denning in tree hollows or rock crevices.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Tres Marias raccoon as Critically Endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation and predation by introduced species. Population trends are rapidly declining, with ongoing threats from invasive mammals and human activities.