Mammal field guide · Raccoons, Coatis, and Allies

Photographing the Common Raccoon

How to photograph the Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (March, April, May, June, July and September).

40–70 cm1/2000 s
Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by kent ozment via iNaturalist
40–70 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
172,923
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 55 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)106 mm158 mm70 mm53 mm
10 m (33 ft)211 mm317 mm141 mm106 mm
15 m (49 ft)317 mm475 mm211 mm159 mm
20 m (66 ft)423 mm634 mm282 mm211 mm
30 m (98 ft)634 mm951 mm423 mm317 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,057 mm1,585 mm705 mm529 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 7% Jan Feb: 7% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 11% Apr May: 11% May Jun: 10% Jun Jul: 9% Jul Aug: 8% Aug Sep: 9% Sep Oct: 8% Oct Nov: 6% Nov Dec: 6% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: March, April, May, June, July and September.

About the Common Raccoon#

The raccoon (/rəˈkuːn/ or US: /ræˈkuːn/ ( listen), Procyon lotor), sometimes spelled racoon, also known as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, northern raccoon,and colloquially as coon, is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. The raccoon is the largest of the procyonid family, having a body length of 40 to 70 cm (16 to 28 in) and a body weight of 5 to 26 kg (11 to 57 lb). Its grayish coat mostly consists of dense underfur which insulates it against...

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Nocturnal — try trail cameras or dusk at wetland edges.
  • Get down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
  • Sightings peak in March, April, May, June, July and September, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Raccoons, Coatis, and Allies#

White-nosed Coati White-nosed CoatiNasua narica Ringtail RingtailBassariscus astutus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Common Raccoon?

At about 55 cm long, a common raccoon fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 211 mm, or at 20 m with 423 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Common Raccoon?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Common Raccoon?

Observations in North America peak in March, April, May, June, July and September. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources