Distribution and Habitat
According to the IUCN Red List, they are considered critically endangered. In fact, they report that only about 250–300 individuals are left on the planet. These raccoons are so extremely endangered because of their small geographic range. They are endemic to Cozumel Island, an island around 478 square kilometres (185 sq mi) in area, lying off the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Cozumel Island supports several other carnivores, including the dwarf coati (Nasua narica nelsoni) and dwarf gray fox (Urocyon sp.). Islands usually lack terrestrial mammals, especially carnivores making the pygmy raccoon and the others unique.
On the island, the raccoons inhabit a range of habitats, but are primarily limited to the mangrove forests and sandy wetlands in the northwest tip of the island. However, they have also been captured in semi-evergreen forests and agricultural lands surrounding these preferred habitats., and in the Punta Sur ecological park at the south end of the island.
Read more about this topic: Cozumel Raccoon
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