Florida Raccoon

Smaller and more slender than common raccoons, these animals typically weigh between 10 and 18 pounds. They are easy to recognize by their brownish-gray coat, ringed tail, and the familiar black bandit “mask” across the face. Although they can be seen during the daytime, they prefer to be nocturnal.

Agile swimmers, they often travel between mangrove islands with ease. They are omnivores, feasting on clams, crabs, mussels, small fish, fruits, berries, frogs, insects, and the eggs of ground-nesting birds. They are also known to exploit human-provided food sources—have you noticed that the garbage and recycling cans at the ELC are locked?!

They’re just one of the many unique species you may observe during your time at the ELC!