This highly intelligent and very successful mammal lives in most of the more southerly areas of Canada - south of about latitude 53 degrees north—with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador.

They live primarily in forested areas near watercourses where they can find some of their favourite food items such as crayfish, frogs, small fish and turtles. They also eat wild berries, corn, meadow voles and mice. While raccoons are not true hibernators, they do sleep away the colder weather in their dens, surviving off of stored fat.

Mainly nocturnal, they have few natural predators although foxes, bobcats and coyotes sometimes take them. Generally mild-mannered and easily tamed, they will fight bravely against great odds if cornered.