Can raccoons swim?

Raccoons can swim very well, which allows them to stay in the water for several hours. They swim at an average speed of 3 miles per hour.

Raccoons forage along riverbanks and use their ability to swim to catch frogs and crustaceans. Their compact torso and short legs prevent them from running quickly or jumping great distances. Over short distances, raccoons can only reach top speeds of approximately 10 to 15 miles per hour. Unlike other mammals of a similar size, they have the ability to climb down trees head first by rotating their hind feet so that the appendages are pointing backwards.