Vonthisha Johnson
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R A C C O O NApril 2015Important facts about the raccoonRaccoons
have not been domesticated for human use.As you can see they are
not allowed inside, and are usually unwanted animals.
3Raccoons are protected by law. No one may own a raccoon without
a license, and licenses are not issued for pet wildlife. Hunting or
trapping raccoons requires a license. The law allows unlicensed
homeowners and farmers to destroy raccoons that damage property.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, (2015)
Food ChainAlthough raccoons can be found all across the United
States, a lot of people study raccoons that have a habitat in
Canada. Raccoons choose to build their dens in hollow trees and
buildings. You would do best searching for them at night because
they are nocturnal (night crawlers).
What else is found here?Trees, grass, fish, bobcats, foxes,
wolves and mountain lions are a few living things found in the wild
with raccoons.
Raccoons eat anything they can find or catch from insects to the
trash we leave around. Although raccoons are predators and very
fierce animals and can defend themselves they have natural enemies
and become their prey.
Raccoons adapted extremely well to humans invading their
territory, which is why a lot of them make homes within your homes.
They have hands and nails that allow them to open trash cans to get
food. They put on extra weight in the winter in order to survive
the cold. If it is too cold, they stay in their dens and burn the
fat they stored.
Fun FactsRaccoons live for 2 to 3 years but in captivity they
can live up to 20 years.They are beneficial to us because they
consume pesky insects and mice.They are the most common carriers of
rabies in the US.They are exceptional climbers and one of the few
who can run down a tree head-first. Raccoons can swimThey dont
travel past a quarter mile of their dens unless the male is looking
for a mate.Raccoons do not make their own dens, they just make a
home out of the ones they find although they switch homes every few
days.Raccoons can hiss, bark, snort, growl, snarl and squeal
Resources
http://www.theanimalspot.com/raccoon.htm
http://www.whateats.com/what-eats-raccoons
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9358.html
http://www.terrierman.com/lifehabitatraccoon.htm
Raccoon ChatteringWestern Rivers, Inc.Raccoon Chattering, track
1011999Other7366.552Western Rivers, IncRaccoon Squall (Adult),
track 1012004Other5929.811Blues5758.944Blues2403.2646
