Mammal
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
Common Names
Common Raccoon, Coon
Habitat
Woodlands, river bottoms, and forested areas along the Columbia River and Pacific Coast
First Observed
1806-01-15
Observed At
Fort Clatsop, near present-day Astoria, Oregon
Lewis mentioned the raccoon in his January 1806 descriptions of Pacific Northwest trapping methods, noting that “deadfalls and snares are employed in taking the wolf the raccoon and fox.” He also referenced raccoon skins in the context of Native clothing, where “two of those of the Raccoon or tiger catt forms the pattern of the robe.” The raccoon was a familiar animal to the expedition members from the eastern states.
Journal References
7 journal entries mention Raccoon
Jun
13
1804
Clark: June 13, 1804
...ect of Serounding Countrey in the open Prarie we Caught a racoon, our
hunters brought in a Bear & Deer we took Some Luner observation this
evening.
Jan
15
1806
Clark: January 15, 1806
... Deadfalls & Snares are
employd in takeing the Wolf, the racoon and fox of which there are a fiew.
the Spear or gig is used to take the Sea otter, Spuck, & Beaver...
Jan
15
1806
Lewis: January 15, 1806
...e deadfalls and
snares are employed in taking the wolf the raccoon and fox of which there
are a few only. the spear or gig is used to take the sea otter, the common
...
Feb
15
1806
Clark: February 15, 1806
...pe, Sheep, beaver, Common Otter, Sea Otter, minks, Seals
racoons, large Grey Squerrel, Small brown Squirrel, Small grey Squirrel,
Ground Squirrel, Sewelel, Braro,...
Feb
15
1806
Lewis: February 15, 1806
...eep,
beaver, common otter, sea Otter, mink, spuck, seal, racoon, large grey
squirrel, small brown squirrel, small grey squirrel, ground squirrel,
sewelel, Braro,...
Mar
19
1806
Lewis: March 19, 1806
...ation. in this way one
beaver skin, or two of those of the Raccoon or tiger catt forms the
pattern of the robe. the vest is always formed in the manner first
discri...
Sep
10
1806
Clark: September 10, 1806
...and turkies on the Shores to day one of the men
killed a racoon which the indians very much admired.
