There are Two Species of Raccoons in Mexico
Did you know that Mexico has raccoons? They do! And Mexican raccoons are not coatis.
The two species of Mexican raccoons are the Common raccoon, (Procyon lotor) and the critically endangered Cozumel raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus).
While there are only two species of raccoons found in Mexico, the common raccoon actually has several subspecies that are found in Mexico! Read on to learn more about all the types of raccoons that live in Mexico.
The Two Species of Raccoons in Mexico
Cozumel Raccoons (Procyon pygmaeus)
The Cozumel raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus), also known as the pygmy raccoon, is one of two species of raccoons that live in Mexico. This species of Mexican raccoon is critically endangered, and is at risk due to threats such as hurricanes, invasive species, road traffic, being fed by tourists, and more.
The Cozumel raccoon is only found on the island of Cozumel, and no captive breeding programs exist. As of the last IUCN assessment in 2016, there were estimated to be only 192 adult individuals left. The population of the Cozumel raccoon is continuing. Cozumel raccoons are a completely separate species from common raccoons, and are not your usual backyard “trash panda.” Unfortunately, ongoing research has shown that most people are not even aware the Cozumel raccoon is a separate species from the common raccoon, let alone know that it is an endangered species.
Cozumel raccoons are incredibly smart, and their intelligence often gets them in trouble. These little Mexican raccoons have learned to approach tourists and beach club staff to beg for foods such as tortilla chips. Unfortunately, all raccoons are prone to health issues such as diabetes when consuming high levels of anthropogenic food sources. While no raccoon should be fed human food, feeding Cozumel raccoons is especially harmful due to the species critically endangered status.
Common Raccoons (Procyon lotor)
The common raccoon (Procyon lotor) is another one of the two species of raccoons found in Mexico. Common raccoons are found in their native range from Canada all the way down to Panama. Unlike the critically endangered Cozumel raccoon, Mexico’s common raccoon population as a whole is stable. However, there are some individual raccoon subspecies that are endangered. There are four subspecies of common raccoon found in Mexico.
Types of Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Subspecies Found in Mexico
Mexican Raccoon
Procyon lotor hernandezii
Also known as Yucatan raccoon or the Mexican Plateau raccoon, this subspecies of the common raccoon is the most widespread across Mexico and can even be found down to Panama. Mexican raccoons are commonly confused for the critically endangered Cozumel raccoon. The best way to tell the difference between these types of raccoons is to take a look at where you are. Are you in Cozumel? Then it is a Cozumel raccoon. Are you in Playa del Carmen or Tulum? Hanging out at a resort, beach, or restaurant on the Yucatan in Mexico? Then it is the Mexican subspecies of the common raccoon.
That being said, just because common raccoons aren’t critically endangered doesn’t mean you should stop caring about them. No matter how adorable they look, or how hard they are begging for your tortilla chips or margaritas, do not feed any type of raccoon in Mexico! Raccoons are prone to diabetes and human food makes them sick.
Tres Maria Raccoon
Procyon lotor insularis
The Cozumel raccoon is not Mexico’s only type of raccoon that is in trouble. The Tres Maria raccoon (Procyon lotor insularis) is a subspecies of common raccoon found only on the two main islands of the Islas Marías. While it was once listed as endangered by the IUCN Redlist, when the Tres Maria was discovered to be a subspecies of common raccoon, it’s conservation status was removed. However, they are still in at risk and threatened with extinction on the island, and are considered a species subjected to special protection by the Mexican government.
Texas Raccoon
Procyon lotor fuscipes
The Texas raccoon (Procyon lotor fuscipes) is another subspecies of common raccoon (Procyon lotor). Despite it’s name, the Texas raccoon is found in Northeastern Mexico as well.
Baja California Raccoon
Procyon lotor grinnelli
The Baja California raccoon (Procyon lotor grinnelli) is another subspecies of Common raccoon (Procyon lotor). As its name suggests, this type of raccoon is found in Baja California, Mexico. Unfortunately, there is not much information about this raccoon available online. However, it is described as “A large, pale-furred subspecies with high and broad skull” by the book Raccoons of North and Middle America.
If you have any of any photos of the raccoons in Baja California, please send them to us so we can post them on the site!
Answering Your Questions about Mexico's Raccoons
What kind of raccoons live in Mexico?
There are two species of raccoons that live in Mexico: the common raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the critically endangered Cozumel raccoon, also known as the pygmy raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus).
There are five subspecies of common raccoon that live in Mexico: the Yucatan raccoon, the Mexican Plateau raccoon, the Tres Maria raccoon, and the Baja California raccoon.
What kind of raccoons are in Tulum or Playa del Carmen?
The raccoons around the resorts and beaches of places like Telum and Playa Palancar are Mexican raccoons (Procyon lotor hernandezii), which are also known as Yucatan raccoons or Mexican Plateau raccoons. Theyare a subspecies of the common raccoon (Procyon lotor).
What raccoons are endangered in Mexico?
There are two types of endangered raccoons in Mexico. One is the critically endangered Cozumel raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus), which is a completely separate species from any other raccoon. The second is the Tres Maria raccoon, which is a subspecies of the common raccoon (Procyon lotor). While common raccoons are not endangered as a whole, some subspecies are.
What is a raccoon subspecies?
A “racoon subspecies” means a specific group within the common raccoon species (Procyon lotor) that has unique characteristics, such as differences in size, color, or habitat. It’s like a regional variation of the same animal, adapted to a particular environment. Subspecies have genetic makeups that are distinct enough to set them apart from other subspecies, but not distinct enough to separate them into their own species. The Mexican raccoon (Procyon lotor hernandezii) is one of these raccoon subspecies, found across Mexico and Central America.
What are raccoons called in Mexico?
The Spanish word for raccoon is “mapache.”
Learn More About the Three Species of Raccoons
Sources
Zeveloff, Samuel I. (2013-07-09). Raccoons: A Natural History. Smithsonian Institution. ISBN 978-1-58834-383-3
McFadden, K. W.; Meiri, S. (2013). “Dwarfism in insular carnivores: a case study of the pygmy raccoon”. Journal of Zoology. 289 (3): 213–221. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2012.00978.x. ISSN 1469-7998
“Mexican Raccoon (Subspecies Procyon lotor hernandezii)”. iNaturalist.
Helgen, Kristofer M. and Wilson, Don E. 2005. “A systematic and zoogeographic overview of the raccoons of Mexico and Central America.” In Contribuciones Mastozoologicas en homenaje a Bernardo Villa. Sanchez-Cordero, V. and Medellín, R. A., editors. 219–234. Instituto de Biologia e Instituto de Ecologia, UNAM.
de Villa-Meza, Alejandra; Avila-Flore, Rafael; Cuaron, Alfredo; Valenzuela-Galvan, David (1 May 2008). “Procyon pygmaeus (Carnivora: Procyonidae)” (PDF). Mammalian Species.
Page Author
Nessie O'Neil
Along with being Exotic Pet Wonderland's resident raccoon biologist and certified rabies educator, Nessie is a graduate student researching how tourism impacts the critically endangered Cozumel raccoon.
Phone: 865-236-7596