All About Cute Furry Raccoons

Raccoons are easy to recognize by their mask and ringed tail these ‘masked bandits' have an average weight of 12-20 pounds, but can weigh up to 50 pounds. Their mask serves a purpose, enabling them reduce glare when they are trying to hide from their predators. The mask may also help enhance vision at night. The raccoon's bushy tail is around 8-12 inches in length and also serves a purpose. It can actually store fat during the colder months and aids as a tool for balance when climbing-or to aid in sitting up. They are furry and cute like rabbits.

The raccoon's front paws are extremely sensitive and are used for manipulating food or other objects. What makes their paws even more special is the fact that they can identify something even before they touch it. This is due to the special hairs above their claws. These rascals can open anything from jars, garbage cans, doors, and even complex locks! Because their back legs are short, it makes it difficult to run fast or jump great distances. Their back feet can actually rotate pointing backwards. That's' why they can climb down a tree headfirst. On those hot summer days they cool off by sweating and panting.

Habitat

These masked bandits are native to North America. Years later they were introduced to other countries like Japan. Raccoons prefer living in the woods near lakes, rivers, or streams. They can also survive in coastal marshes, mountainous regions and even urban areas! Of all the wild life species living in towns or cities the raccoon is the most common.

Did you know that the raccoon depends on other animals to construct their den? The raccoon relies on other animals to do the work for them. Their homes are pre-built-ready to move in. Now that's the life!

Diet

A raccoon's diet consists of mostly fruits and nuts. But they will also eat plants and other animals such as insects, fish, and birds. For that matter they'll eat just about anything including tree bark and garbage.

Behavior and Reproduction

Although Raccoons are known to be nocturnal, don't be surprised if you see them during the day. The male isn't a social butterfly and usually won't hang around other raccoons unless it's mating season. Sometime an unrelated small group of males will form a group to keep intruders way. As far as the female is concerned, those that are related tend to be more sociable.

Breeding season is usually between January and March. The male raccoon isn't a one woman man so to speak. He'll mat with more than one female and once the children are born he'll leave home and child rearing to the females. These single moms will usually give birth to one liter a year. The average size of each liter can range from 3 to 4 cubs (or kits).

As tradition would have it, most raccoons are born during the spring months of April or May. In as little as 6 weeks these youngsters begin their adventure into the outside world and start eating solid foods! In 4 months these rascally raccoons are totally weaned from their mother's milk.

Interesting Raccoon Facts

There is tons of information about raccoons out there. There is even information about how to domesticate a raccoon! Raccoons live to be 2-3 years old on average. There have been rare cases of some living up to 16 years! Most raccoons die from hunters or being hit by vehicles. However, in North America the most common cause of death is from distemper. This leads to my next are of interest: Rabies.

Raccoons are notoriously known for carrying the rabies virus. The virus is transmitted through the raccoon's saliva. Symptoms to look for are aggressive behavior, sickly appearance, and impaired mobility. In some instances there may no obvious signs. Sometimes a rabid raccoon will simply hide out in its den.

The majorities of rabies cases in the U.S. are in wildlife, and are predominantly raccoons.  In the U.S., 90% of all rabies cases occur in wildlife.  In 2000, raccoon rabies made up 41% of wildlife cases diagnosed.

If a human is bitten by a raccoon (or any wildlife) the animal should be regarded as rabid. There are no tests available to check for rabies. The only way is for   the raccoon to be euthanized and its brain tested for rabies.  If human exposure occurs, it should be reported to the local or state health department.

So what should you do if you see a rabid raccoon?

If you see a raccoon in your yard and he is foaming from the mouth or looks dazed and confused, chances are he may be rabid. Don't approach the animal. Call your local animal control as soon as possible. Make sure you see these symptoms first! You wouldn't want an innocent animal killed needlessly. The first thing to go is the head. It is dissected so the brain can be tested to check for rabies.

So how can you get rabies? The only way you can catch rabies is if you are bitten or if a hissing raccoon's saliva gets onto your skin and enters your bloodstream! You can't get rabies from touching the rabid animal's feces, blood, or urine.

If you get bitten go to your nearest emergency room. Don't wait for signs and symptoms to appear. If you wait to long then any type of treatment won't be effective and it will be too late.