14 Animals that Look Like Raccoons (with Pictures) – Fauna Facts (2024)

Animals that look like raccoons include Cacomistle, Coatis, Kinkajous, Kudamundi, and Nasua

Have you ever seen an animal and thought it looked like a raccoon? Well, you’re not alone. Many animals share features with raccoons, but there are some that look more similar than others. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at animals that resemble raccoons in appearance and behavior.

We’ll also discuss the differences between these animals and raccoons, so you can better understand each one.

Examples of Animals that Look Like Raccoons

1. Bassaricyon

Also known as the olingo, the bassaricyon is a species of nocturnal mammal that is closely related to the raccoon. These animals are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America, and they share many similarities with raccoons, including their bushy tails and masked faces.

However, bassaricyons are much smaller than raccoons, measuring only about 20 inches in length. They are also proficient climbers and are known to build nests in trees.

The bassaricyon is an omnivorous creature, and its diet consists of fruits, insects, small mammals, and reptiles. These animals are mostly active at night, and they use their sharp claws and teeth to capture prey. They are also known to raid human settlements in search of food.

This animal is a solitary creature, and it is seldom seen in groups. These animals are generally shy and reclusive, but they can be aggressive if they feel threatened.

The bassaricyon is classified as a vulnerable species, and its population is believed to be in decline. The main threats to these animals include habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting, and disease.

2. Cacomistle

The cacomistle is another nocturnal mammal that is found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Like the bassaricyon, these animals resemble raccoons in appearance, with their bushy tails and masked faces.

Cacomistles are also good climbers and often build nests in trees. However, they are slightly larger than bassaricyons, measuring up to 30 inches in length.

Cacomistles are omnivorous animals, feeding on a variety of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fruits, and nuts. These creatures play an important role in the forest ecosystem by helping to control the populations of some pests. However, they can also be a nuisance to farmers and gardeners because of their fondness for raiding crops.

3. Coatis

Coatis are a type of mammal that is found in the forests of Central and South America. These animals are similar to raccoons in appearance, with their masked faces and bushy tails. Coatis are also good climbers and often build nests in trees.

However, they are larger than both bassaricyons and cacomistles, measuring up to four feet in length.

Coatis are omnivores, eating both plants and animals. Their diet consists of fruits, nuts, insects, lizards, and small mammals.

Coatis are social animals that live in groups of up to 30 individuals. These groups are called bands and are made up of related females and they’re young. Males typically live alone or in small groups. Coatis are not territorial and bands often overlap in range. However, they are aggressive towards members of other bands.

4. Kinkajous

Kinkajous are small mammals that are native to Central and South America. They are closely related to raccoons, so it’s no surprise that they look similar. Kinkajous have long, furry tails and black masks around their eyes. They are also proficient climbers, just like raccoons.

One major difference between kinkajous and raccoons is their size. Kinkajous are much smaller than raccoons, averaging only about 20 inches in length. They also weigh considerably less, with most kinkajous weighing less than 4 pounds.

Another difference is that kinkajous are mostly fruit eaters, while raccoons are omnivores. This means that kinkajous eat mostly plants, while raccoons will also eat insects, small animals, and garbage.

5. Kudamundi

The kudamundi is a species of mongoose that is found in parts of India and Southeast Asia. Like raccoons, kudamundis have a black mask around their eyes. They also have a long, bushy tail that they use for balance when climbing trees.

One difference between kudamundis and raccoons is that kudamundis are much more proficient climbers. They have sharp claws that help them grip tree branches, and they can climb head-first down trees. Raccoons are also good climbers, but they typically climb slower and are not as agile as kudamundis.

Another difference is that kudamundis are mostly insectivores, while raccoons are omnivores. This means that kudamundis eat mostly insects, while raccoons will also eat plants, small animals, and garbage.

6. Lesser panda

The lesser panda looks similar to a raccoon in both appearance and behavior. These animals have reddish-brown fur, bushy tails, and black masks around their eyes. Like raccoons, lesser pandas are good climbers and spend time in trees. They are also omnivores, eating both plants and animals.

The lesser panda is found in the mountains of central and southern China. These animals are shy and elusive, making them difficult to study in the wild. As a result, little is known about their behavior or ecology. However, the species is believed to be declining due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.

The lesser panda is a threatened species. Hunting and habitat loss have led to a decline in the population of these animals. In China, the lesser panda is protected by law, but enforcement of these laws is often lax. As a result, the lesser panda continues to face significant threats to its survival.

7. Nasua

The next animal on our list is the Nasua. The Nasua is a member of the family Procyonidae, which includes raccoons, olingos, and ringtails. It is native to Central and South America, and its appearance is similar to that of a raccoon.

The most notable difference between the two animals is the size; Nasua is about twice the size of raccoons. They also have longer noses and tails, and their fur is usually lighter in color.

8. Northern Cacomixtle

The Northern cacomistle is another member of the Procyonidae family. It is found in Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States. Like the Nasua, it shares many features with raccoons. However, it is smaller than the average raccoon and has a longer tail. Its fur is also darker, and its face is more pointed.

The Northern cacomistle is nocturnal and arboreal, meaning it sleeps in trees during the day and comes out at night to look for food. It is an omnivore, eating both plants and animals.

Read Also: Are Raccoons Omnivores?

9. Olingos

The olingo is a nocturnal animal that is closely related to the raccoon. They are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Olingos have long, bushy tails and dark fur with light-colored bands. Their faces are also similar to raccoons, with large eyes, furry ears, and a black “mask” around their eyes.

While olingos do look like raccoons, there are some notable differences. For one, olingos are much smaller than raccoons. They also have different diets; while raccoons are omnivorous, olingos primarily eat fruit.

10. Olinguitos

This small mammal is native to the Andean regions of South America and can be found in countries like Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. The olinguito is the smallest member of the raccoon family and looks similar to a cross between a teddy bear and a house cat. They have large eyes, furry tails, and round faces with black masks around their eyes.

Even though olinguitos look like raccoons, there are some key differences between these two animals. Olinguitos are much smaller than raccoons, weighing in at only 2-4 pounds. They also have shorter snouts and different-shaped teeth. Additionally, olinguitos are nocturnal while raccoons are active during the day.

11. Raccoon dog

The raccoon dog is a canid native to East Asia. It gets its name from its similarities to the North American raccoon, but it’s actually more closely related to foxes and wolves. Raccoon dogs are small animals with brown or black fur. They have a long snout, bushy tail, and large ears. Their face is marked with a black “mask” around their eyes, just like raccoons.

There are several key differences between raccoon dogs and raccoons. Raccoon dogs have shorter legs and rounder bodies, while raccoons have longer legs and more slender bodies. Additionally, raccoon dogs are active during the day, while raccoons are nocturnal. Finally, raccoon dogs are not good climbers, while raccoons are excellent climbers.

12. Red Panda

The red panda is a mammal native to the Himalayas and southern China. It’s one of the only two species in the family Ailuridae and is often referred to as a “firefox” or “lesser panda.” Red pandas are small animals with reddish-brown fur and a long, bushy tail. They have a white face with black markings around their eyes, similar to a raccoon’s mask.

Even though they look similar, red pandas and raccoons are actually not closely related. Red pandas are herbivores, while raccoons are omnivores. Additionally, red pandas have shorter legs and rounder bodies, while raccoons have longer legs and more slender bodies. Finally, red pandas are excellent climbers, while raccoons are only fair climbers.

13. Ringtails

Ringtails are small mammals that are native to North and South America. They get their name from the black and white rings on their tails, which resemble those of a raccoon. Ringtails are also similar to raccoons in that they have furry bodies, long tail, and sharp claws. They are good climbers and often build their homes in trees.

One of the main differences between ringtails and raccoons is that ringtails are much smaller. They also have a different shaped head, with pointy ears, and they typically have a more striped tail. Ringtails are not as common as raccoons, so you’re less likely to see one in your backyard.

14. Tanuki Dog

The tanuki dog is a breed of domestic dog that was originally bred in Japan. The breed is named after the Japanese raccoon dog, or “tanuki,” which it resembles in appearance. Tanuki dogs are small to medium-sized dogs with a compact body, thick fur, and a bushy tail.

They typically have brown or black fur, with white markings on the face, chest, and belly. Tanuki dogs are friendly and intelligent, and they make great companion animals.

Read Next: What Eats Raccoons?

Conclusion

There are many animals in the world that resemble raccoons, but these furry creatures are uniquely adapted to their environment and have many features that set them apart from other animals. Although they may look similar, raccoons are definitely not related to any other animals. Their distinctive features, habits, and behaviors make them one of the most interesting animals in the world.