Concerning the intelligence of raccoons

Abstract

This paper is a report of experiments which were made with the raccoon, Procyon lotor, to determine what type of associations it is able to form, the complexity and permanency of its associations, and to ascertain whether mental images and a tendency to imitate are present in this animal.T h e paper as originally planned contained also observations on the senses, instincts and habits of raccoons, together with comparisons of their behavior with that of other mammals under similar experimental conditions.These observations, as well as most of the tables on "Learning to release fastenings, have necessarily been omitted from this article.I am greatly indebted to Dr. R. M. YERKES for valuable criticisms of the experimental results and for many suggestions for the preparation of this paper.In all I have had six young raccoons.under observation, four males and two females.T h e descriptions refer in the main to the four individuals which were received July 3, 1905.With these individuals experiments were made twice each day during 9 ) Ameriron Box 2. Box 3 .Box 4. 14" x 13" x 26", "zd put-through box," two fastenings.T o open the door it was necessary both to pull the loop and turn the button.Box 7.