Ringed tails and Claw'd Feet

Today's day is Raccoon day. Contrary to what people believe, raccoon is spelled R-A-C-C-O-O-N. Not R-A-C-O-O-N. This is one of the most common spelling errors involving youngsters and adults. Here comes the classification of the common raccoon.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae
Genus: Procyon
Species: Procyon lotor

Raccoon Myths
Done with that! Well the common raccoon is a mysterious creature, wreathed in many myths, just like bats. You can see the Top 10 Raccoon Myths here. Whatever people think, these myths are not true. But it is true that raccoon love food and have adapted well to urban life in the cities. They love to forage through trash, and the thing that you must NEVER do is leave food out for raccoons. Raccoons have a good memory, and will come back for more and more, eventually not letting you have a good night's sleep.

Raccoons As Pets
Raccoons are not good pets, and even if they look "so cute", you should never take one into your home unless it is absolutely necessary. Raccoons have needs suited for themselves, and should not be taken in as a pet. They are very rowdy and your food supply will be gone within 24 hours. Raccoons are omnivorous, which means they eat both meat and plants, and for that matter, anything edible. They love seafood and fruit, and pretty much anything! See here for advice from a pro about raccoons as pets.

Raccoons In General
Raccoons are very mischievous. They are also intelligent, which they take to their full advantage. You can recognize a raccoon by it's ringed tail and "mask" over its eyes. People often referred to the raccoon as a bandit and was shown as the "bad guy" in kid's shows. Raccoons are vicious and ready to defend themselves if the need arises and if they feel threatened, which is a good reason that the raccoon doesn't make a good pet. They eat almost anything, just like rats, and there are ways to deter them from scavenging your house, looking for something to eat. Raccoons have very dexterous hands which are used to pry things open. Such as a broken can, a mussel, a clam and other things that they can get their little hands on. Raccoons used to and still carry two very dangerous diseases: rabies and distemper. Both lead either human or animal to an early grave, and the symptoms include: staggering and apparent difficulty standing up and/or walking. Confusion, even if the human/animal is in a familiar place. Last, the very disturbing oblivion to either pain, other discomfort, or no signs of pleasure with anything.

Raccoons are mostly found near rivers and they live in forests, but can live in the city as well, due to the abundance of trash. Raccoons love shiny things, much like the magpie, and if something catches their interest, they grab it and consider it theirs. They are much like bandits, but again, not very much like them. Raccoons are just curious, and most of the time, their insatiable curiosity can lead to trouble for them and others. They are the fleeting shadow that scampers along alleyways, and that the passing human being ignores. Wether we like it or not, raccoons are vanishing just like many of the creatures that live on this earth. We must protect them and not pass them by as unimportant things.