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Raccoon
Pooka is our resident raccoon. Like any normal coon, he's incredibly busy and playful! Due to state laws, Pooka is allowed to come to programs and help people learn, but he is not allowed to be touched by participants.
I do have constant contact with him here at our facility, in order to keep him happy and tame. However, during programs he is kept in a cage away from the participants, behind our "safe zone". This cage does allow him to show some of the natural behaviors of raccoons.
Raccoons are not allowed to be kept as pets in the state of North Carolina, special permits are needed to possess them.
We do not suggest raccoons as pets. Please understand that we have lived with raccoons and other animals that are considered by some to be wild and dangerous most of our lives, so we are very experienced in dealing with them. Raccoons are nothing like domestic pets. You do not show raccoons that you are "alpha", as you might with a dog. You must treat them as your equal. Raccoons are very strong and agile, which can make them very dangerous. Consider this, if they feel threatened, a 20 pound raccoon can take down a full grown rottweiler. Imagine what a raccoon that feels threatened could do to a human. They are also what we call a "3 dimensional" animal. A raccoon can climb up and be in your face before you know they are headed up. Since they have tree climbing claws and large teeth, this could end up being a very bad situation. Under NORMAL circumstances, a raccoon would find the closest tree or other structure to climb and get away from you or a dog. However, a captive situation is not normal, and they may have no place to run to or they may feel you are threatening their home.
We would like to thank our local fire department for donating the fire hose we are using to enrich Pooka's outside enclosure! As you can see, he's loving it!
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Raccoons inhabit parts of Canada and most of the United States, making their homes in hollow trees and logs and sometimes raising their families in burrows in the ground made by other animals. They are incredibly bright animals, ranking in the top 10 in scientific studies done to determine the brightest animals on the planet. The only reason they aren't higher up on that list is that most consider them to be solitary, and therefore believe they do not work together, which is one of the criteria for determining how bright animals are. However, many people who work closely with raccoons (such as rehabilitators) will tell you that they are actually very social creatures. Since they don't actually hunt, but are opportunistic feeders, there really is no need for them to work together to hunt. Though, if they find a source of food, such as dog food in a back yard, they are able to communicate this to others and there may soon be a yard full of raccoons. Scientists have observed colonies of up to 20 raccoons denning together through the winter months. They are incredible animals to watch and study, and incredibly challenging to keep in captivity because of the need to keep their minds active. A bored raccoon is like a bored child, usually destined to get themselves into trouble.
Sadly, they are currently the largest reservoir for rabies in the United States. Bait programs have shown to be very effective in reducing the numbers of rabies cases, but are expensive for the government to run, so not many are in progress at the moment.
To the Native Americans, raccoons symbolize curiosity, disguise, dexterity, seeking guidance and confidence, questioning fear, balancing curiosity and inquisitiveness. Native Americans consider the raccoon to be the oldest animal in America. While this is not true, (the opossum is actually the oldest species) it is an interesting tid bit. Many who know the feeling by Native Americans on this subject feel that what they actually mean is that they are very wise and old souls
In The Wild
Classification: |
Procyon Lotor |
Native Region: |
United States and southern Canada |
Diet: |
Omnivorous. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders, eating everything from berries to eggs |
Behavior: |
Raccoons are nocturnal, preferring to only come out at night, though during certain times of year, it is not at all uncommon to see them out during the day looking for food. |
Social Structure: |
Raccoons are believed to be primarily solitary creatures, though dens of up to 20 raccoons have been seen in the winter.. |
Interesting Facts: |
The term Procyon means "before dog" and Lotor means
"washing". Raccoons are well known for "washing" whatever they pick
up. It is believed that they are not actually washing these things,
but getting a better feel of them. Raccoons have incredibly sensitive
hands. Raccoons are considered to be the most adaptable species in the US, living in all regions, including in cities. Did you know that a Raccoon named Rebecca lived in the White House with President Calvin Coolidge, our 30th president? He used to walk her around the grounds on a leash. |