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This months featured critter is the Raccoon Behavior Everyone is familiar with the raccoon in one form or another. Intelligent and cunning, the raccoon has been a source of entertainment and also dismay for their antics and relevant persistance in pursuit of their next meal. The raccoon is an omnivore meaning that it will eat both meat and vegetation. Although the raccoon is prolific at pilfering meals it can also hunt and kill prey such as ducklings, fish, and other small mammals. A nocturnal creature by design, this masked bandit can often surprise it's prey through the cover of darkness to create the element of surprise. Raccoons will wash or douse their food when water is available. It is believed that they are removing any foreign materials from the food substance while some researchers note that the addition of water may actually create a greater sense of touch for the animal. The actual word Raccoon is derived from the Algonquian language meaning "He who scratches with his hands." Background In the early 19th century raccoons were raised in Germany for commercial purposes after their introduction. In the early years raccoons actually were noted to be a threat to the wine industry as they began to seek refuge and food in wine cellars. As the commercial industry increased, due to a growing interest in fur for clothing, raccons were experimentally released into the wild. Numbers grew quickly and the raccoon itself was believed to have very little ecological impact on the forest. As population densities exploded, some to the extent of 100 raccoons per square kilometer, it became apparent that the need for some sort of regulation in numbers was in order so hunters were offered rewards for the culling of the raccoon. Distribution The raccoon is found in many countries and regions. They have become adaptive to survival in numerous scenarios including urban life which at times can reflect on family pets. A raccoon is well equipped and can at any moment injure, kill, and eat, a family pet such as a cat or small dog. With this action also comes the introduction of diseases passed from the host. Diseases such as canine distemper, roundworm, parvovirus, and rabies can be common in raccoons. In the year 2004 during a study in the United States, it was concluded that 37.5% of reported rabies cases were found in raccoons. Although a raccoon infected with rabies could show no real visual effects a good indicator that the animal is not well is it's presence during the daylight hours. Being a nocturnal animal by nature, it is typically uncommon to view them out of their element of darkness. The rabies virus can be carried through blood, waste, and other bodily fluids. In some states the disease is so prevalent in raccoons that the United States Federal Government as well as Canadian authorities have enlisted the use of an oral vaccine to try and alleviate further propagation. View our previous featured critters Fox / Groundhog