I used to have one that came around that we called "Stumpy" because he only had about 3" of tail. When he'd see me standing at the back door, he'd hold his little paws up like he was begging.....which he definitely was.
Our raccoons here in Central Florida are little guys by the standards of northern raccoons. I thought they were all babies when I first moved down here. They're strong little dudes, though.