Armand Bayou raccoon facts. They are nature's little bandits, known for their mischievous antics.
The lifespan of raccoons in the wild is estimated at three to five years, and they have been known to live up to 16 years. A captive raccoon was recorded living for 21 years. Genetic studies have shown that the closest relatives of the raccoon are the ring-tailed cats, coatis and cacomistles. Photo courtesy of Gary Seloff.