Rad Raccoon Facts!
- Crabs make up the majority of a Cozumel raccoon’s diet
- Pygmy raccoons are an example of Insular, or island, dwarfism. Insular dwarfism is a phenomenon where animals evolve to become smaller over time due to lack of space and resources on an island
- Raccoons have four, or even five times more sensory cells in their hands compared to most other mammals.
- The only way to keep Cozumel raccoons from going extinct is to acknowledge their existence, put protections in place for them, and determine how the tourism industry can coexist with the pygmy raccoons
Critically Endangered
6-8 lbs
23-32 inches long
Unknown
The Cozumel raccoon, as its name suggests, lives exclusively on the island of Cozumel of the coast of Quintana Roo in Mexico. These pygmy raccoons mainly reside in mangrove forests and sandy wetlands. Cozumel Raccoons are also spotted occasionally in semi-evergreen forests and agricultural lands.
The diet of the Cozumel raccoon, like other types of raccoons, is determined by the food available in its habitat. This means that the Pygmy raccoon’s diet comprises native fruits and other vegetation, crustaceans, insects, and lizards.
Very little is known about these critically endangered raccoons
Cozumel raccoons are marked similarly to the common raccoon, however, they are easy to distinguish due to their broad black throat and golden yellow tail. The main difference in the Cozumel raccoon’s appearance, however, is their size. Adults range from 23-32 inches in length, and weigh around 6-8lbs.
The tourism industry is the number one threat to Cozumel raccoons, and there is no protected land for these rare animals. Unfortunately, there is very little research on the subject of the pygmy raccoon. Because of this, not much else is known about them. There are currently no laws protecting Cozumel raccoons. Despite the species being so close to extinction, there are no Cozumel raccoons in zoos.
Exotic Pet Wonderland is passionate about the conservation of all Procyonids, and is actively looking for ways to ensure the survival of Cozumel/Pygmy raccoons. Please reach out to us if you are a researcher studying Cozumel Raccoons, or if you work in the tourism and hospitality industry in Cozumel and are interested in finding ways wildlife conservation can coexist with tourism. You can best reach us regarding this topic by emailing our Registrar at nessie@exoticpetwonderland.org.
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