The raccoon, also spelled racoon and sometimes called the common raccoon to distinguish it from the other species, is a mammal native to North America. It is the largest of the procyonid family, having a body length of 40 to 70 cm, and a body weight of 5 to 26 kg. Its grayish coat mostly consists of dense underfur, which insulates it against cold weather. The animal's most distinctive features include its extremely dexterous front paws, its facial mask, and its ringed tail, which are common themes in the mythologies of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas surrounding the species. The raccoon is noted for its intelligence, as studies show that it is able to remember the solution to tasks for at least three years. It is usually nocturnal and omnivorous, eating about 40% invertebrates, 33% plants, and 27% vertebrates.

വടക്കേ അമേരിക്കയിലും തെക്കേ അമേരിക്കയിലും കാണപ്പെടുന്ന ഒരിനം സസ്തനിയാണ് റാക്കൂൺ. രോമാവൃതമായ ഇവയുടെ ശരീരം സാധാരണയായി കുറുപ്പും വെളുപ്പും കലർന്ന ചാരനിറത്തിലും അപൂർവ്വമായി ചിലപ്പോൾ മഞ്ഞയും തവിട്ടും ഇടകലർന്ന ചാര നിറത്തിലും കാണപ്പെടുന്നു.