Mere looking at a cat and a raccoon gives room for a lot of postulations, one of which is their mating compatibility.
To think that a cat and raccoon can mate isn’t a weird thought and given a pocket of evidence online and through research, many are obliged to agree to these propositions.
However, Can Cats and Racoon Mate? Cats and raccoons, being different species in the order Carnivora, cannot mate or produce viable offspring. Their genetic differences and reproductive barriers prevent successful hybridization.
From knowing if a cat can mate with a raccoon, to demystifying common myths about the duo, more will be covered in depth in this article. So, sit back and enjoy the read.
Cats and Racoon Differences
Don’t be fooled by their semblance, that a cat and a raccoon both have tails, claws, and whiskers that may or may not make them mating partners. To know this fact is the first step to finding an answer to the pressing question of them being able to mate.
The list below outlines the major differences between a cat and a raccoon and gives us an insight into their mating compatibility, let’s get started:
Differences in Genetic Coding
Think of genetic coding as the information shared or known by a particular species that highlights the features, habits, and strengths only particular to that group.
In the case of a cat and a raccoon, their genetic coding is a whole lot different from each other. Take a cat for instance, the chromosome number of your furry feline stands at about 12 or more DNA strands as opposed to the paltry 6-10 Chromosome number present in a raccoon.
What this means is that certain core trait that keeps a raccoon anywhere in the world functioning are not found in a cat and vice-versa. Therefore, no matter how this duo mates, this ingrained coding can or may never be passed from each other.
Also Read: Cats Antibiotic Without Vet Prescription.
Different Mating Seasons
A cat’s way of reproduction and the Queen’s fertilization of her ovaries is induced, meaning that the females control the zygote formation.
The unique ability of your feline to control their fertilization simply means that they can birth to their kittens only when the male releases in them. They cannot store the sperm and fertilizer at a subsequent time.
On the contrary, your raccoon is a seasonal breeder, meaning that they only get to reproduce once in a year, and the female ability to hibernate her eggs right after fertilization makes it more interesting. A female raccoon will control where and how she will give birth if the conditions are favorable.
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Territorial Differences.
Cats are possessive of their spaces or domain, a racoon on the other hand is no different.
While a cat will smear urine and spurt out a liquid scent to establish its territory, a raccoon is a little bit messy with this act; defecating and emitting a foul smell to establish its dominance is a common trait with this animal.
The presence of this territorial dominance can impact the cat-raccoon relationship in two ways; if they are both wild and untamed, could lead to territorial fights and a quest to usurp another. In the end, impacting on their ability to mate.
Differences in their Biological Classification
Lastly, one difference you should know between a cat and a raccoon is the disparity in their biological classification.
Like their genetic coding, the biological classification of an organism is simply putting them in a group where they share the same similarities with other species in that group. Though a cat and a raccoon both belong to the same kingdom, their species, genus, and phylum are different.
A cat is more a version of a lion and other big cats, while a raccoon belongs to the family of the dogs and some wolves. Hence affecting their mating ability.
With the points presented, it is safe to say that while it is not uncommon to find a cat and a raccoon mate occasionally, the real act where both can produce children from the act of mating (breeding) is impossible. Now that we have dealt with the first pressing issue, let’s move to the next.
Is it a Maine Coon Part Racoon?
Some people still don’t want to believe that a cat can’t mate with a raccoon, try to refute and they show you a Maine. Something closely resembling a raccoon. But is that enough reason to believe the duo can mate?
The myth about the Maine Coon cat being partly a raccoon is as old as cat history, with different variations to the claim.
Some point at the physical features present in Maine and compared to the Racoon as a pointer that these two animals have at one point mated and bred successfully.
The ring-like tail of the Maine exactly matches that of a raccoon, the tabby cat’s fur color is another reason lending credence to this claim and lastly, the nature of Maine’s paws compared to a raccoon buttresses the belief that it is part of the coon.
For the records, medical evidence has not shown in any ramifications that a Maine Coon is partly a raccoon, and while research is underway, holding onto myth is a choice you choose to believe or ignore.
Do Cats and Racoon get along?
The answer depends on many factors; most domesticated cats are less likely to be wild and will get along with a raccoon. There have been cases of a Queen also caring for a coon’s pup alongside her kitten.
However, a wild cat and a raccoon may never see eye to eye on certain issues (territorial dominance is one) and will fight it out to establish supremacy.
What will a Racoon do to a Cat?
Worst-case scenario, when a wild cat sees a raccoon, the tendency for a fight is high if any of them feels threatened by the presence of the other.
The raccoon is a natural disease carrier, carrying feline threatening illness such that a fight to lead to your feline’s ultimate paralysis or death. More so, your cat’s claw can do serious harm to a raccoon’s body.
To avoid any violent confrontation, it is best you look for ways to avoid a cat and a raccoon meeting; installing a raccoon-proof fence and keeping your furry feline indoors is a way to go.
Can Cats and Raccoons Mate Successfully?
however, their breeding is nearly impossible. Furthermore, the myth and folklore you might have heard about the Maine Coon cats have also been settled, no more of those tales again.
I am sure you found this article informative, please leave your comment below, and also don’t forget to check out our other articles about cats.
