raccoon

a nocturnal omnivore, Procyon lotor, the largest member of the family Procyonidae, having a masklike black stripe across the eyes, a sharp snout, a bushy, ringed tail, and very dexterous front paws, native to North and Central America and introduced elsewhere for its valuable fur: more than 20 subspecies have been named.

the thick, brownish-gray fur of this animal, with gray, black-tipped guard hairs.

any of various related animals of the genus Procyon, of Central American islands, some now rare.