https://oldfriends.live/@paul/116279886425277391

@JigmeDatse @futurebird

I'm still in battle with them. They've done thousands of dollars in damages

#PaulsRaccoonWar

leave it some cotton candy and a large water dish

then watch the washer bear, as the germans call it, since raccoons have an instinct to wash their food, discover the "wonderful" character of homo sapiens: pranking

it will hate you, but it never return

(/s)

ps: they don't actually wash their food. what they are doing is using water to dampen, soften, heighten and focus their paw's touch. they are using water to sharpen sensation: texture, shape, weight

Still, even if the betting odds favor Pica, you're right to take pains to prevent that encounter from ever happening. And the reasons are not limited to straightforward battle damage. Raccoons are filthy animals, and the majority of them harbor a terrifying parasite called Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm. You do not want these beasts or their worms around you or your pets.

If the motion-sensor light isn't enough to deter raccoons, I recommend doing whatever you need to do in order to accomplish the desired result.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baylisascaris_procyonis

Racoons were the bane of our existence, or at least the ability of our garbage cans to remain upright until collection day.
It didn't matter what we did to keep those damn varmits from disgorging the cans contents all over the surrounding area. Locking handles, throwing hot water at them, you name it.
Our house backed up to South Mountain Reservation, due west of Southern Manhattan. Apparently our garbage was a lot less work than other food options in the 2112 acre nature reserve...

The best thing about them is their soft little hands. They handle everything like they want to memorize its shape. The are super good at undoing latches, doorknobs, and locks.

Sounds like it may have lost its mom. They stay with her the first summer and often hibernate with her. She teaches them how to forage. I have to take mine for walks so the can discover what's edible and learn to d for insects in the creek bed. City raccoons must get an interesting curriculum.

Not sure, but they sure are. Not so cute when they grow up. Its a baby thing, maybe the adults are less likely to attack them.

She has perhaps met something whose cuteness can compete and it's battle mode. That pic of the little racoon in the other thread is adorable.

Why are they so cute?

Here is the first encounter. The raccoon has grown a lot!

https://sauropods.win/@futurebird/116967343844591549

That racoon is unlikely rabid. Too curious. Rabid animals kinda look like they're on crack. Its more common for coons to have dog distemper. Behavior also is drunk and uncoordinated, people think it's rabies. Both are terminal.

This is the second time he/she has shown up earlier the summer I would have described it as very young. I kind of think it's the same one.

I also think this one dug up our garden, but didn't find much to eat. It did stop to drink water from the bird bath before leaving.

Looks like a half grown one. Probably this years litter exploring his universe. If it doesn't find food will likely go elsewhere. I've fostered a few. They eventually wander off when they grow up. Pretty harmless unless you try to handle them.