How Big Are Raccoons?
Typically, raccoons weigh between 5 and 25 kilograms, or 10 and 55 pounds. In rare instances, however, raccoons can grow much larger, making them among the most varied mammals in terms of maximum size. The largest recorded raccoon ever weighed an astonishing 28.4 kilograms or 62.6 pounds. As with most mammals, female raccoons are typically smaller than males, and females in measured populations are 15 to 20% smaller on average. Because raccoons tend to carry most of their weight in their midsection as fat, their overall outline usually varies less than their weight. From head to hindquarters, raccoons are usually between 40 and 70 centimeters or 16 to 28 inches. To their shoulders, most animals are under 12 inches or one foot. As is common in mammals, raccoons living in colder areas tend to be larger than ones in warmer, southern areas. Raccoons are not considered to be large mammals and generally consume food sources that are smaller than themselves. Though they often act as scavengers or predators of small species, they can attack larger species if cornered. As an average-sized animal is roughly the size of a cat or fox, raccoons can wind up in conflicts with both species in urban areas.
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