What are some raccoon relatives?

Raccoons belong to the family Procyonidae, also known as the raccoon family. Members of this family are small to medium-sized carnivorans that are both arboreal and terrestrial in nature. Some of the raccoon's relatives within the Procyonidae family include:

1. Coatis: Coatis are slender-bodied, long-tailed animals that inhabit tropical and subtropical regions in Central and South America. They are social animals and can be found in groups of up to 30 individuals. Coatis are known for their distinctive, elongated, and flexible snout.

2. Kinkajous: Also called honey bears, kinkajous inhabit the rainforests of Central and South America. They have a golden-brown fur and large, round eyes. Kinkajous are primarily arboreal and nocturnal animals, skilled at climbing trees. They have prehensile tails that aid in grasping branches and maneuvering in the trees.

3. Cacomistles: Cacomistles are found in the southwestern United States, Central America, and western South America. They are nocturnal and solitary animals and prefer rocky habitats with vegetation. Cacomistles are omnivores and feed on fruits, insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally eggs.

4. Olingos: Olingos are small raccoon relatives that live in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. They are nocturnal animals with dense fur and large eyes. Olingos are arboreal and spend most of their time in the trees. They are known for their distinctive vocalizations, which sound somewhat like a cat's meow.

5. Crab-eating Raccoons: As their name suggests, crab-eating raccoons are highly adapted to catch and consume crabs. They are found in mangrove swamps and freshwater marshes along the coasts of South and Southeast Asia. These raccoons have elongated fingers and strong claws, which they use to extract crabs from mud or shallow water.

6. Ring-tailed Cats: Ring-tailed cats are small carnivores found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They have a long, ringed tail and are agile climbers, resembling cats in their movements. Ring-tailed cats are primarily solitary and nocturnal, hunting for small rodents, birds, insects, and even reptiles.

These are some examples of raccoon relatives within the Procyonidae family, but there are other more distant relatives found in different carnivoran families, such as skunks, weasels, bears, and canids (dogs, wolves, foxes).