Raccoon, Dire

This animal is about the size of a large dog. Its fur is brownish-grey, and its bushy tail is ringed in black. Its paws and ears are black as well, and it has a black and white mask-like marking on its face.

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate forests and urban
Organization solitary, pair, or family (1 adult plus 1–4 young)
Treasure incidental

Ever the opportunists, these giant procyonids tend to move out of their native habitat in the forests to the compost heaps and refuse piles of large cities. Food is easier to find there, and in good supply. Dire raccoons are not picky, and like their smaller cousins they are omnivorous. Rats, rotten food, and even the occasional corpse are all parts of an urban dire raccoon’s diet. Because of its unsanitary lifestyle and questionable eating habits, dire raccoons that live in city trash heaps often carry filth fever.

In its natural habitat, a dire raccoon eats the same foods—although in greater amounts of course—as a normal raccoon. They are fond of shellfish, berries, and any small lizards or frogs they can catch. Dire raccoons have the same mating habits and rear the same number of young as their normal counterparts (see the raccoon entry).

In combat a dire raccoon engages in an intimidating display of shrill growls, stamping feet, and puffed up fur. Dire raccoons have sharp, strong teeth and use them well if cornered.