Meet every species in the raccoon family tree — from true raccoons and coatis to kinkajous, olingos, ringtails, and their honorary masked friends around the world.
17
Species
39
Subspecies
3
At Risk
Showing 17 of 17 species
Species
Category
Description
Location
Status
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
aka Northern Raccoon, North American Raccoon
True Raccoons
The largest procyonid, with dense grayish fur, a signature black facial mask across the eyes, and a bushy tail ringed with 5-10 black bands. Adults weigh 5-26 kg (11-57 lb) and measure 40-70 cm in body length.
Native to North America from southern Canada through most of the United States, Mexico, and Central America. Introduced populations exist in Europe and Japan.
Least Concern
Crab-eating Raccoon
Procyon cancrivorus
aka South American Raccoon
True Raccoons
Similar to the common raccoon but with shorter fur, darker legs and feet, and hair on the back of the neck that slants forward. Adults weigh 2-12 kg. Body length is 41-80 cm.
From Costa Rica south through most of South America east of the Andes, down to northern Argentina and Uruguay. Also found in Trinidad and Tobago.
Least Concern
Cozumel Raccoon
Procyon pygmaeus
aka Pygmy Raccoon, Dwarf Raccoon
True Raccoons
The smallest member of genus Procyon, weighing about 3.3-3.6 kg. Has buffy gray fur, a broad black throat band, golden-yellow tail with 6-7 dark rings, and reduced teeth.
Exclusively found on Cozumel Island, Mexico (486 sq km island approximately 17.5 km off the Yucatan coast).
Critically Endangered
White-nosed Coati
Nasua narica
aka Coatimundi
Raccoon Family
A medium-sized procyonid weighing 3-6 kg, about 66 cm in body length with an equally long tail. Reddish-brown to black fur with lighter underparts, a white muzzle, and a long, flexible, upturned snout.
From the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) through Mexico and Central America to northwestern Colombia.
Least Concern
South American Coati
Nasua nasua
aka Ring-tailed Coati
Raccoon Family
Weighs 2-7.2 kg and is 85-113 cm long (half tail). Recognized by reddish-brown fur, dark elongated snout, small white-fringed ears, and a long banded tail.
Lowland forests east of the Andes from Colombia and the Guianas south to Uruguay and northern Argentina, at elevations up to 2,500 m.
Least Concern
Western Mountain Coati
Nasuella olivacea
aka Mountain Coati
Raccoon Family
About half the size of common coatis, weighing 1-1.5 kg with a body length of about 36-39 cm and tail of 20-24 cm. Thick olive-brown to rust-colored fur with 6-8 tail bands.
Cloud forests and paramo of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, and western Venezuela.
Near Threatened
Kinkajou
Potos flavus
aka Honey Bear, Sugar Bear
Raccoon Family
Round-headed, large-eyed, arboreal procyonid with a long prehensile tail. Velvety golden-brown fur, 40-60 cm body length, weighing 1.4-4.6 kg. The only procyonid with a truly prehensile tail.
Tropical forests from southern Mexico through Central America to Brazil, including the Amazon basin.
Least Concern
Northern Olingo
Bassaricyon gabbii
aka Bushy-tailed Olingo
Raccoon Family
The largest olingo at up to 1.5 kg, with grayish-brown pelage, cream belly, faint tail banding, large forward-facing eyes, and rounded ears. Body 35-48 cm with a bushy non-prehensile tail of 40-48 cm.
Central America from Nicaragua through Costa Rica to western Panama and northwestern Colombia.
Least Concern
Eastern Lowland Olingo
Bassaricyon alleni
Raccoon Family
A small olingo weighing 1.1-1.5 kg, with soft brownish-gray fur, large dark eyes, short rounded ears, and a long tail (40-53 cm). Body length 30-45 cm.
Lowlands east of the Andes in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela.
Least Concern
Western Lowland Olingo
Bassaricyon medius
Raccoon Family
An intermediate-sized olingo averaging about 1.1 kg. Distinguished by rufous-toned pelage, a pink nose, and a moderately bushy tail.
Lowlands west of the Andes from central Panama through Colombia to Ecuador, up to 1,800 m elevation.
Least Concern
Olinguito
Bassaricyon neblina
Raccoon Family
The smallest procyonid, averaging only 900 g (2 lb). Dense, woolly, orange-brown fur suited to cold cloud forests. Shorter tail, smaller ears, and rounder face than other olingos.
Cloud forests of the western Andes in Colombia and Ecuador, at 1,500-3,000 m elevation.
Near Threatened
Ringtail
Bassariscus astutus
aka Ring-tailed Cat, Miner's Cat
Raccoon Family
A cat-sized procyonid weighing 0.8-1.3 kg with a fox-like face, enormous dark eyes, large oval ears, and a striking bushy black-and-white banded tail longer than its body.
Southwestern United States from southern Oregon to Texas and into Mexico.
Least Concern
Cacomistle
Bassariscus sumichrasti
aka Central American Cacomistle
Raccoon Family
Weighs 1-1.5 kg with a body of 38-47 cm and equally long tail. Gray-brown fur, white facial mask, dark eye rings, large rounded ears, and non-retractable claws.
Tropical and subtropical forests from southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama.
Least Concern
Common Raccoon Dog
Nyctereutes procyonoides
aka Mangut
Honorary Friends
A small, stocky canid weighing 4-10 kg with raccoon-like facial markings including a dark mask. Long, thick yellowish-brown to gray fur with a short bushy tail lacking ring bands.
Native to eastern Siberia, northeastern China, Korea, and Vietnam. Invasive across northern, central, and eastern Europe.
Least Concern
Japanese Raccoon Dog
Nyctereutes viverrinus
aka Tanuki
Honorary Friends
Smaller than the common raccoon dog with shorter fur, a smaller stomach, and distinct chromosomal differences. Similar masked facial markings and stocky canid build, but more compact.
Endemic to Japan, found across Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and other Japanese islands.
Least Concern
Himalayan Red Panda
Ailurus fulgens
aka Red Panda, Lesser Panda
Honorary Friends
A cat-sized mammal weighing 3-7.7 kg, with dense reddish-brown fur, a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, and a long bushy ringed tail. Slightly larger than a domestic cat.
Nepal, India (Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan, and northern Myanmar, at 2,200-4,800 m elevation.
Endangered
Chinese Red Panda
Ailurus styani
aka Styan's Red Panda
Honorary Friends
Larger and deeper red than the Himalayan red panda, with bolder facial markings, more prominent tail rings, and darker overall coloration. Females average 7.3 kg.
Hengduan Mountains of Sichuan and eastern Yunnan province, China, and northern Myanmar.
