flaflwrgrl said:Just a photo of one in our west field last eve at dusk. It was hunting food.

Looks like a nice healthy one!

SpringGreenThumb said:



Click on it to see full image.

Playtime.

How enjoyable. I had a pleasant hour with coffee and biscuits reading this thread for the first time. Most of the mammals here are marsupials. Gorgeous to look upon but not that keen on placentals.

Don't stop.

I caught the little sweetheart. Sneaking in to lay on my heater vent....
Such a crisp morning Autumn.

Touching hands.

They are cute but I would never touch them.

Seems like they do have the good life there by you.

Swooon.

Last night when I opened the front door I heard animals running off...it was the only family of raccoons that comes by at night...I think she has four or more babies. I think it those that broke my hummingbird feeder bottle a while back...they had been draining the nectar every single night for a while.

LindaTX8 said:Last night when I opened the front door I heard animals running off...it was the only family of raccoons that comes by at night...I think she has four or more babies. I think it those that broke my hummingbird feeder bottle a while back...they had been draining the nectar every single night for a while.

Yup, they like to come by at night and see what there is they could eat. I know my dog gets up when she hears raccoons in the garden at night and often she even barks at them.

Some people find them destructive.

They are not destructive if you choose what activities to keep them busy with. Keep them busy with one activity and they will learn to stay away from your potted plants and such.

Raisins in a hollow plastic cat ball hanging in a tree.

Dog food floating in a small pool or bucket of water.

rolly polly bugs or grasshoppers in a zip lock bag.

Chicken bones closed up in an old shoe box.

They enjoy scavenging.

SpringGreenThumb said:Some people find them destructive.

They are not destructive if you choose what activities to keep them busy with. Keep them busy with one activity and they will learn to stay away from your potted plants and such.

Raisins in a hollow plastic cat ball hanging in a tree.

Dog food floating in a small pool or bucket of water.

rolly polly bugs or grasshoppers in a zip lock bag.

Chicken bones closed up in an old shoe box.

They enjoy scavenging.

Yes, they must be very smart. And they can do so much with those front paws that work like hands.

They are smart. I would say they are smarter than a cat.
Here are things they can do.
They can turn on water taps.
They can open doors.
They can identify buttons and push them.
Take lids off.
They learn words and vocabulary.
(They can learn their name, and words such as "no", "come" "get down" "give it back". But just because they understand the meaning of the word doesn't mean they will obey it.). If one starts to climb a peach tree to pick my fruit I will say "Hey! get down" as soon as they hear the words "get down" they huff then shake their head and try to get high enough that I can't pull them down by their tail.

When they are climbing a tree they have to hang on so gently pulling their tail downward makes so they can't turn and nip you and gently pulling on their tail will make them start climbing down backward.

If I say "Handsies'". they lift their hands... and I toss them a morsel...but only if they are in the mood. Most of the time they ignore it.

They seem to find pleasure and entertainment in doing something that they know will give them a reaction from you. Like grab your shoe and run off. Then they will get far enough away and turn to see if you are following.

@SpringGreenThumb, what a priceless and rare experience you are having and sharing with your family. My son and I took a freaked out bat stuck in our garage to a wild life refuge, very carefully, and respectful of rabies. I am pretty adventurous and loving with animals, but the adult raccoons who show up on my porch just scare me.

So glad you have an experience to share with people like me who are untrusting of them. Your lil guy is A-dorable.

lauriebasler said:@SpringGreenThumb, what a priceless and rare experience you are having and sharing with your family. My son and I took a freaked out bat stuck in our garage to a wild life refuge, very carefully, and respectful of rabies. I am pretty adventurous and loving with animals, but the adult raccoons who show up on my porch just scare me.

So glad you have an experience to share with people like me who are untrusting of them. Your lil guy is A-dorable.

These raccoons have grown up interacting with humans. Their mother was a tiny orphan I gave food to. She just stayed around and became nocturnal, nice, but allusive as an adult. I have seen her out and about occasionally. When she hears noise she freezes and prepares to run until I talk more and then she recognizes myself or one of my family and goes about her business. She is only 1/2 wild.

Her kits that have been growing... the ones I post pictures of are another story. Because their mother did not teach them to fear us at all. She taught them we are a good healthy food source. So they had no problem coming right up and taking food. They have never harmed anyone.

I have been bitten a couple of times but it was just a harmless nip of protest when I was wresting them to stop them from getting something. (Like trying to steal the blanket)

I would never attempt the things I do with a 100% wild raccoon. Just like you wouldn't try to reach your hand out to a wild hissing feral cat.

I have a large woodland forest property with a fresh water stream so I just let them come and go as they choose. They come more than they go.

Love it, SpringGreenThumb.

I believe raccoons have a raccoon language. I've listened to them and watched them. They combine multiple series of warbles, chatter, vocal sounds, throat noises, and huffs that they use when they communicate to each other, as well as myself. Often I can know a little about what's going on outside by their noises.

There is a distinct tone and combination of sound they make when one is searching for the other or feels like he got left behind.

Also a distinct tone and combination when they are complaining about something and another when they are trying to achieve something.

They also each have their own distinc personality. ❤️.

I can identify which coon is which by subtle markings as well as their activity and approaching behavior.

I do feel sorry when someone sees these intriguing creatures as nothing more than something to kill or shoot at. 😧

The raccoon and skunk that come over every night to have dinner with my cats.