‘White’ raccoons: Ever seen a white-blond-tan raccoon before?
By Gary Bogue
Friday, January 14th, 2011 at 7:02 am in Raccoons.
“White” (left) and normal colored raccoon (right). Photo by Ann Sevier, Walnut Creek, CA
Gary:
My hubby and I came home to find 4 raccoons on our deck last evening. I had seen them once before, but failed to get a good pic. Last night I got 2 good pics showing their unique color. Please let me know how common tan and brown raccoons are!
Ann Sevier, Walnut Creek, California
“White” raccoon, photo by Ann Sevier, Walnut Creek, CA
Ann:
Actually, there is a strain of “white” (aka blond or brown-&-tan) raccoons in the San Francisco Bay Area. The “white” color can vary a lot between white and blond. They are most commonly seen in the East Bay’s Diablo Valley area in Concord, Lafayette and Walnut Creek.
These “white” raccoons are not true albinos, which lack any color and have red eyes. There are also occasional albino raccoons that can be found in the same area.
Your photos beautifully illustrate the difference between the white/blond/brown-and-tan raccoons and a normal-colored raccoon.
“White” raccoon, photo by Ann Sevier, Walnut Creek, CA
Interestingly, there is also a similar strain of “white” opossums that roam around the same area as the “white” raccoons. Go figure that one! /Gary
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January 15th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
I’ve seen a white raccoon in Lafayette, on Pleasant Hill Road. (Sadly, I witnessed it being hit by the car in front of me.) I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the white coloring. I hope the fascinating strain lives on for many years to come.
January 17th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
We have white possums in Berkeley, too — but I’ve never seen a blond raccoon before. Thanks for the photo!
January 24th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Several of the raccoon litters we’ve had foraging in our Walnut Creek backyard nearly every late-summer/early-fall have included a tan pup.
January 28th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
I think the tan and white raccoons are called Cinnamon Raccoons.
May 1st, 2011 at 12:08 pm
We have a blond racoon that comes nightly to raid our bird feeders. Unlike the pictures above, there is no hint of a mask however, he does have the darker tail rings. Also, “ours” seems to have more of a pointed snout than your pictures.
Bob Holdeman
PS: I hope this “coon” is the only thing Ohio has in common with CA.
May 31st, 2011 at 8:42 pm
We have a blond raccoon living in our backyard, in Portland, Oregon. Just adorable! It doesn’t have a mask, but a gorgeous ringed tail of orange and white.
June 22nd, 2011 at 1:39 pm
We had a tan raccoon on our deck last evening in upstate NY. Never saw one before.
Are they common to the North East? Very sweet looking
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:16 am
Pam: “Tan” raccoons are probably either albino or white raccoons. A white/albino raccoon may be anything from pure white to blond to tan. They are spotted occasionally just about anywhere around the country that has raccoons. /Gary
July 26th, 2011 at 9:58 am
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it!! Around 5 this morning coming towards me was a HUGE white raccoon in my backyard. We have possums, but this was NOT a possum-the telltale ringed tale gave it away. I had no idea there was such a critter, glad I found this site, now my husband will not have to have me sent to the funny farm. I live just north of Austin, Texas and we are in a very severe drought-I’m sure it was in search of water.
August 9th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
I saw a White Raccoon near Mission Hills Golf Course in Hayward in the early morning 8/8. Beautiful animal with a touch of orange in the tips of it’s fur.
Mask was not visible and didn’t appear to have pink eyes.
It looked to be full grown and was with another full grown adult of normal markings, what a contrast.
August 11th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
I had to search the internet when I got home regarding the very light orange / white raccoon I saw this morning crawling up my neighbor’s tree. I thought it was an odd looking tabby at first, until it looked at me. I have seen raccoons my whole life in Livermore, CA, but up until now, never such an unusually colored variety. It’s eyes seemed dark, and it seemed that the light orange color replaced black, and the white replaced the gray. Nature always surprises, I will be quicker with my camera phone next time!
October 11th, 2011 at 6:26 am
Saw a blond raccoon this morning at 3:00 am in Pleasanton, CA.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:23 am
There is a white raccon living on the five towns college campus in dix hills long island New York
December 11th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
I JUST SAW A WHITE RACOON IN MY BACK YARD …I THUGHT IT WAS ONE OF MY ALLY CATS I FEED….HE WAS EATING THE CAT FOOD…HE SLOWLY CLIMBED THE FENCE AND LEFT…I HAD SEEN A RACOON BEFORE BUT NEVER A WHITE ONE WOW… BKLYN NYC
January 29th, 2012 at 11:10 pm
I am in Livermore, CA. It’s 11:00 p.m. and half an hour ago something big and white on our deck caught my eye. When I investigated I spotted a raccoon–light in color but not white. Sure enough, though, there under the almond tree was its white companion. Just a couple of months ago I was blown away by a black squirrel in our yard. I think spotting a white raccoon, though, is even better!
April 12th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Just spotted an ORANGE raccoon. Definitely raccoon as it about 10am in our neighbor’s yard. She saw ‘em too. Ran to get the camera and he/she had jumped the fence… will keep the camera close by incase of a second sighting.
May 26th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Saw one last night just outside of Omaha, NE. He was all white with coloring only on his ears and ringed tail. So cool looking.