30 December 2014
— Raccoons —
Types of Raccoon
The word "raccoon" comes from the Native American Algonquian word Arakun, meaning "one who scratches with his hands."
There are seven species of raccoon, five of which are rare and only found on a few islands:
- North American / Common raccoon: ranges from Canada to Panama. These raccoons prefer foresty areas but often live around people and even in cities.
- Crab-eating raccoon: lives in marshy and junle areas in Central and South America.
- Bahaman raccoon
- Cozumel Island raccoon
- Barbados raccoon
- Guadaloupe raccoon
- Tres Marias raccoon
What do they eat?
Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. In fact, they will eat almost anything: nuts and berries, fish, eggs, worms, dead animals, and even garbage. Because they aren't at all picky, raccoons are called "opportunistic feeders."
But, raccoons have to be careful in the wild to avoid being hunted themselves by things like wild cats, coyotes, foxes, and owls. Most of the time, these animals don't want to fight with a healthy adult raccoon, but a sick, old, or baby raccoon could be a tasty snack. Raccoons also have to be careful to avoid being killed by people, either by traps people set out because they see them as pests, or accidentally by being hit by a car.
A word of caution
Unlike many animals, raccoons often live among people, in backyards or in cities. Cornered raccoons can be dangerous, so it is important to respect them and keep distance, observing them from afar but generally letting them be. In addition, in Eastern United States, raccoons are known to suffer from rabies. Signs of rabies include raccoons roaming about in the daylight, looking dazed or confused, or failing to avoid crowds. If a raccoon shows these behaviors, it is even more important to avoid approaching it.