Raccoons

In this article, Lif will discuss the history and life of raccoons.

Raccoons

By: Lif Nelson

Today, when people think of raccoons, they may think of Trash Pandas, but raccoons were discovered in the 16th century and quickly became more intelligent than most humans at the time. Who are these masked creatures?

Raccoons are a small species that belong to the Procyonidae family, meaning “to wash”, which also includes the ringtail cat and the Coati. There are 27 species of raccoons in North America and also 25 subspecies. They can weigh around 12 to 35 pounds, and are very clean with their eating habits. Raccoons wash their food before consuming it and make sure their food has not come from a bad, toxic environment or source. Raccoons are known for their classic bandit mask markings and the six rings on their tail. Fun fact: a raccoon's brain is 5.5cm big and the skull is 4.25-5 inches in length, and 2.75-2.875 inches in width.

Raccoons live in multiple places throughout the continental United States, including the suburbs, wetlands, cities, parks, and really anywhere that has food. Certain kinds of animals hunt raccoons, like coyotes, bobcats, and great horned owls. A raccoon's diet includes meat and vegetables. They like nuts, berries, squirrels, and bird eggs. According to the National Wildlife Federation, "They can get more food than most animals can because of their small human-like hands with a very firm grasp."

Found in the article Raccoon

A raccoon mating season usually goes from January to June, and each mother usually has around three to seven kits. According to the National Wildlife Federation, a domesticated raccoon's usual lifespan is around five years, and they live around sixteen years if they are in the wild. It is only legal to have a pet raccoon in 19 states, including Delaware, Arkansas, Indiana, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Sadly, it is illegal to have them as pets in Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia.

Those who want to get pet raccoons would need to pay around three hundred to seven hundred dollars on average in a legal state, and would need special permission from the government and a permit in an illegal state. A raccoon's fur mask is also used to shield their eyes from the glare of the sunlight and car headlights. Raccoons in the wild are more likely to attack people than raccoons found in a city.

If you find yourself near a raccoon, try not to panic and give it some space as, according to the Dane County Human Society, they do not like to be cornered or feel trapped and a lack of free space could make them feel very uncomfortable. Instead, you should back up and take deep breaths. If the raccoon you encounter has rabies, then it will attack you if you show any kind of fear. Do not run right away. Instead, slowly back up until you are far enough that it can not catch you if you run. Then, sprint away.

Sources:

Page updated

Report abuse