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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | 192 |
| CITES Status: | Not Listed |
| IUCN Status: | Critically Endangered |
| U.S. ESA Status: | Not Listed |
| Body Length: | |
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| Top Speed: | |
| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
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Habitat:
Information on the ecology of Pygmy Raccoon has been summarized in Cuarón et al. (2004), McFadden (2004), and de Villa-Meza et al. (2011). Pygmy Raccoon prefers mangrove stands and sandy areas, but it is also found in semi-evergreen and sub-deciduous tropical forests and agricultural areas. Abundance varies considerable across vegetation types. Most of the population lives in the coastal areas of the island, and a large proportion of the central part of the island is uninhabited or has only a very low density. Pygmy Raccoon may inhabit areas near human settlements, and/or paved and unpaved roads (Cuarón et al. 2004, McFadden 2004, García-Vasco 2005, Copa-Alvaro 2007).
Pygmy Raccoon is mainly nocturnal, although it is not uncommon to see it during daylight (Cuarón et al. 2004, García-Vasco 2005). Generally it is solitary, but sometimes forms family groups (Jones and Lawlor 1965, Cuarón et al. 2004). McFadden and Meiri (2013) concluded that dwarfism in the Pygmy Raccoon may be an insular adaptation to the fewer resources found on Cozumel Island compared with the mainland.
It is omnivorous, with a preference for crabs followed by fruits, insects, crayfish, and small vertebrates (McFadden et al. 2006). The relevance of the different food items varies strongly between seasons and sites, and following major changes in habitat quality because of hurricanes (McFadden et al. 2006).
The Pygmy Raccoon is particularly vulnerable to introduced pathogens and diseases such as mange, rabies and dog distemper from exotic animals (Cuarón et al. 2004, McFadden 2004, Mena 2007). The parasites Eimeria nutalli, Placoconus lotoris, Capillaria procyonis, a Physaloptera sp., a mite in the family Listrophoridae, and a trematode in the family Heterophyidae have been collected from P. pygmaeus (McFadden et al. 2005). The identification of Toxoplasma gondii in some Pygmy Raccoons suggests a recent spillover from domestic cats (McFadden et al. 2005). Pygmy Raccoon has been exposed to infectious canine hepatitis, canine distemper and feline panleukopenia viruses (McFadden et al. 2005, Mena 2007).
Pygmy Raccoons share the same mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, suggesting a recent population bottleneck that might be related to a founder effect (McFadden et al. 2008).
Pygmy Raccoon is mainly nocturnal, although it is not uncommon to see it during daylight (Cuarón et al. 2004, García-Vasco 2005). Generally it is solitary, but sometimes forms family groups (Jones and Lawlor 1965, Cuarón et al. 2004). McFadden and Meiri (2013) concluded that dwarfism in the Pygmy Raccoon may be an insular adaptation to the fewer resources found on Cozumel Island compared with the mainland.
It is omnivorous, with a preference for crabs followed by fruits, insects, crayfish, and small vertebrates (McFadden et al. 2006). The relevance of the different food items varies strongly between seasons and sites, and following major changes in habitat quality because of hurricanes (McFadden et al. 2006).
The Pygmy Raccoon is particularly vulnerable to introduced pathogens and diseases such as mange, rabies and dog distemper from exotic animals (Cuarón et al. 2004, McFadden 2004, Mena 2007). The parasites Eimeria nutalli, Placoconus lotoris, Capillaria procyonis, a Physaloptera sp., a mite in the family Listrophoridae, and a trematode in the family Heterophyidae have been collected from P. pygmaeus (McFadden et al. 2005). The identification of Toxoplasma gondii in some Pygmy Raccoons suggests a recent spillover from domestic cats (McFadden et al. 2005). Pygmy Raccoon has been exposed to infectious canine hepatitis, canine distemper and feline panleukopenia viruses (McFadden et al. 2005, Mena 2007).
Pygmy Raccoons share the same mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, suggesting a recent population bottleneck that might be related to a founder effect (McFadden et al. 2008).
Range:
Pygmy Raccoon is confined to Cozumel Island (189 square miles; 488 km²) off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (Cuarón et al. 2004). The entire range lies between sea level and 20 m a.s.l.
Conservation:
Pygmy Raccoon is endemic to and legally protected in Mexico. It is included in the official Mexican list of threatened species as "En Peligro de Extinción" (SEMARNAT 2010). An island-wide ecological ordinance programme (Programa de Ordenamiento Ecologico Local) that seeks to determine the pattern of land occupation, minimising conflict and maximising consensus among stakeholders, has recently been implemented and is in the process of being officially decreed. There are initiatives underway to establish two new protected areas on Cozumel Island. An invasive alien animal control programme is underway on the island. This programme has focused primarily on urban stray dogs and cats, and it is necessary to expand it to feral dogs and cats, House Rats Rattus rattus and House Mice Mus musculus, and the snake Boa constrictor. There is work in progress for the establishment of a captive breeding programme. An environmental education programme promotes the conservation of Cozumel endemic biota. A long-term initiative for the study and conservation of Cozumel's native biota has been undertaken, promoted and sustained by a Mexican interdisciplinary multi-institutional team. Cuaron et al (2009) summarized the conservation initiatives which have been undertaken in order to advance the status of knowledge and conservation of Cozumel Raccoon.