Raccoons

Raccoons are largemammals, most often seen dead on roadsides or at night going through garbage cans. They are shy creatures, active at night. Raccoons are often thought to be close relatives of weasels, but they are actually more closely related to pandas. Their fur is grayish brown with black markings. Raccoons are easily identified by the black mask on the face and a bushy tail with four to six black rings. Raccoons den in hollow trees, fissures in rocks, caves, or burrows (usually old fox, woodchuck or skunk burrow). They almost always live near water. They will also move into a muskrat house. Raccoons are omnivorous and eat almost anything, including: nuts, berries, acorns, leaves, grasshoppers, crickets, grubs, worms, dragonfly larvae, clams, wasps, salamanders, frogs, crayfish, snakes, turtles and their eggs, bird eggs and nestlings, fish, voles, and squirrels. They often eat garbage scraps and at times have been seen eating dead animals on the sides of roads. Raccoons are very agile. They climb trees well, moving forward or backward on their way up or down the tree. They are one of few animals which can descend a tree headfirst. They can also drop, unharmed, 35 to 40 feet. They are fast runners (15 mph) and excellent swimmers. If cornered, raccoons are ferocious fighters and can kill a dog. Raccoons are also know for their excellent night vision and keen sense of hearing. Young raccoons are preyed upon by foxes, bobcats, owls, and eagles, but they most commonly die from automobiles.