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Raccoons varied vocal repertoire includes purrs, whimpers, snarls, growls, hisses, screams, and whinnies. Click above to listen to a raccoon complaining... |
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Never try to capture or handle an injured, ill, or orphaned raccoon on your own. DO NOT attempt to raise an orphaned raccoon. Raccoon cubs have unique nutritional requirements. Problems that result from an inappropriate diet can debilitate an animal for life. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators can provide appropriate care for wild animals. |
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In this video, Ron demonstrates the technique of gentle stimulation of the baby raccoon with a Q-tip so that he can eliminate. This mimics what the natural mother would do and is essential for the orphan's survival. Note: the bottle contains a specialized formula, not cow's milk which can be fatal to wildlife. |
| The brilliantly colored Northern Cardinal has the record for popularity as a state bird; in the United States, it holds that title in seven states. This common bird is a winter fixture at snow-covered feeders throughout the Northeast, but it only spread to New York and New England in the mid-20th century. |
| The brilliantly colored Northern Cardinal has the record for popularity as a state bird; in the United States, it holds that title in seven states. This common bird is a winter fixture at snow-covered feeders throughout the Northeast, but it only spread to New York and New England in the mid-20th century. |
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The word raccoon is derived from arakun, an Algonquin word meaning he scratches with his hands. |
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Raccoons walk flat-footed, like elephants, bears, and humans. A raccoon hand has ten times as many nerve endings as a human hand. Raccoons can descend a tree headfirst—by rotating the hind feet 180 degrees. Raccoons are found throughout most of North and Central America. |
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After a gestation period of about 65 days, two to five young are born in spring, which are subsequently raised by their mother until dispersion in late fall. |
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Although raccoons can get as old as 16 years, their average life expectancy in the wild is only 1.8 to 3.1 years. Hunting and traffic accidents are the two most common causes of death in many areas. |
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In the mythology of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the raccoon was the subject of folk tales. In some tales, the raccoon played the role of the trickster who outsmarts other animals like coyotes and wolves. Among others, the Dakota Sioux believed that the raccoon has spirit powers due to its mask which resembled the facial paintings used during rituals. The Aztecs linked supernatural abilities especially to females. |
