Trash panda? The raccoon is a mischievous and intelligent mammal native to North America. With its distinctive masked face, ringed tail, and dexterous paws, it is a skilled opportunist known for its foraging abilities and adaptability to urban environments. It often can be seen "cleaning" its food in water. However, the raccoon doesn't actually clean its food, but rather the water increases the sensing abilities of its hyper-sensitive paws, giving the raccoon a better idea of its meal.