Raccoon vs. Squirrel — What's the Difference?

The raccoon ( or US: (listen), Procyon lotor), sometimes called the common raccoon to distinguish it from other species, is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. It 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).

Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-size rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including groundhogs), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs amongst other rodents.

An omnivorous mammal (Procyon lotor) native to the Americas and introduced elsewhere, having grayish-brown fur, black masklike facial markings, and a black-ringed bushy tail.

Any of various arboreal rodents of the tribe Sciurini and especially of the genus Sciurus, characteristically having a long flexible bushy tail. Also called tree squirrel.

The fur of this mammal.

Any of various other rodents of the family Sciuridae, such as the ground squirrels and the flying squirrels.

Any of various similar or related animals.

The fur of one of these rodents.

An omnivorous, nocturnal mammal native to North America, typically with a mixture of gray, brown, and black fur, a mask-like marking around the eyes and a striped tail; Procyon lotor.

To hide or store

Any mammal of the genus Procyon.

Any of the rodents of the family Sciuridae distinguished by their large bushy tail.

Any mammal of the subfamily Procyoninae, a procyonine.

A person, usually a freezoner, who applies L. Ron Hubbard's technology in a heterodox manner.

Any mammal of the family Procyonidae, a procyonid.

One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.

Any mammal superficially resembling a raccoon, such as a raccoon dog.

Someone who displays a squirrel-like qualities such as stealing or hoarding objects.

A North American nocturnal carnivore (Procyon lotor) allied to the bears, but much smaller, and having a long, full tail, banded with black and gray. Its body is gray, varied with black and white. Called also coon, and mapach.

(transitive) To store in a secretive manner, to hide something for future use

The fur of the North American racoon

Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Sciurus and several allied genera of the family Sciuridæ. Squirrels generally have a bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species live in burrows.

An omnivorous nocturnal mammal native to North America and Central America

One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.

A kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail

The fur of a squirrel