Page 20 - Abacoa Community News - April '25

Page 20, Abacoa
Northern Notes

Raccoons – Misunderstood five slender, finger-like toes that enable them to easily their adaptability by choosing a wide variety of “cavities,”
including rock and debris piles, attics, crawl spaces
manipulate food and objects. Raccoons have extremely
Masked Marauders sensitive front paws with specialized hairs, allowing them beneath homes, decks, sheds, culverts, sewer drains and the
to easily locate and identify objects by touching them. This burrows of other animals. This adaptability is a testament
By Katie Roundtree, sensitivity increases when their paws are wet. While it to their resilience and survival skills in the face of changing
Director of Finance and appears that raccoons “wash” their food by dunking it in environments.
Administration water, they are actually using this behavior to enhance their Like all living creatures, raccoons play a critical role
Northern Palm Beach sense of touch. In fact, their scientific name, Procyon lotor, in their ecosystems. Their role can be similar to that of
County Improvement District literally means “washing dog.” When raccoons dunk their a gardener or pest control, and they’re often referred to
Trash pandas, bandits, food in the water and, seemingly, wash it, they are really as a natural “cleanup crew.” The raccoon diet, a mix of
thieves—these are all just making their paws more sensitive. Water increases the plants, invertebrates and small mammals, serves a unique
nicknames for northern tactile nerve responsiveness of their paws, allowing them purpose in the ecosystem. When they consume berries
raccoons. Raccoons, to learn more about what they are holding and eating. The and nuts, raccoons act as natural gardeners, distributing
common throughout Florida, highly developed nerves in their forepaw pads and their seeds to promote the growth of new plants and trees. Their
are a testament to the manipulative abilities help them to identify items. Their digging behavior contributes to soil turnover, promoting
adaptability of wildlife. They forepaws are almost like a second set of eyes. They will decomposition and plant renewal.
can thrive in both urban and often rub and roll objects in their hands or will even rub Raccoons help control populations of parasitic species
rural environments, even as their hands together when they are not holding anything. like lizards, frogs, toads and rats. When these creatures
their natural habitats shrink. Raccoons are also extremely intelligent and good at grow abundant, raccoon populations rise to curb the
A large part of their success solving complex problems. Some measures of intelligence population growth. Raccoons also help protect bees by
is due to their adaptability have placed raccoons above cats but below primates in feeding on wasps, one of the bee’s main predators.
to new challenges and their ability to distinguish between objects. They have Perhaps their most important role in the ecosystem
opportunities, whether that’s exceptional memories and can remember the solution to is consuming carrion (or dead animal carcasses), which
nesting in cozy chimneys, tasks for up to three years without reinforcement. helps keep the ecosystem clean. In addition to benefiting
invading chicken coops, or Raccoons will eat almost ecosystems, raccoons also help keep urban areas clean by
breaking into trash bins, their reputation as sneaky thieves anything. Raccoons are not consuming dead animals on our streets.
who prefer to steal trash to survive is a testament to their fussy about their choice of While raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and
intelligence and resourcefulness. food. Although classified roundworm, good hygiene and not handling raccoons can
Raccoons are about the as a carnivore, the raccoon limit the spread. The best advice is to leave them alone,
size of a small dog and eats as much, if not more, give them their space, wash your hands after gardening,
weigh around 1 to 25 pounds plant matter as animal matter and secure trash cans or other tantalizing targets. If you
when fully grown. They during the year. When ripe suspect a raccoon is sick or behaving unusually, it’s best
are most notable for their fruits, acorns, and seeds are to contact local wildlife authorities for assistance.
black eye masks and ringed available, raccoons feed heavily on them. At other times NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system
tails. Raccoons also have and places, they will feed on bird and turtle eggs, insects, is not a garbage disposal – don’t treat it like one.
flat feet, with their hind crayfish and crabs, frogs, fish and small mammals. They’ll Encourage residents to take responsibility and to not
legs longer than their front eat dead animals that they encounter, raid bird feeders for dump chemicals, fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or
legs, giving them a hunched seed and pet food bowls for kibble and check out garbage pipes. Discourage sweeping of lawn clippings and dirt
appearance. Their feet have cans that aren’t secured. into street drains and disposing of lawn clippings and
five moveable toes, allowing Raccoons are not fussy about their living quarters other debris (wood, concrete blocks, Christmas trees, etc.)
them to grab and handle either. Under normal conditions, they usually select a den directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear
food. Both a raccoon’s front in a hollow tree limb instead of the trunk. Dens in trees of vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded
and rear paws resemble may be anywhere from ground level to 60 feet above appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.
a human hand, featuring ground. However, in urban areas, raccoons demonstrate

Advanced Spine Care At Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center:

Cutting-Edge Technology And Minimally Invasive Techniques

Neck and back pain are among the most common medical Minimally invasive spine surgery offers a modern alternative Gardens Medical Center’s spine care team emphasizes
concerns in the United States, often impacting individuals’ to traditional open surgery, which typically requires large incisions comprehensive patient support. Physicians explore non-surgical
quality of life. Whether caused by sudden injury or age-related and longer recovery periods. By utilizing specialized instruments treatments first – such as lifestyle changes, posture correction,
degeneration, persistent spine issues can significantly limit and smaller incisions, this advanced approach minimizes muscle medications, and physical therapy – before recommending
mobility and comfort. and tissue disruption. This often results in reduced pain, shorter surgery when necessary.
At Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, patients have access hospital stays, and faster recovery times for patients. Patients recovering from spine surgery at Palm Beach
to a dedicated spine care team that offers personalized treatment A key advancement in Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center’s Gardens Medical Center are accommodated in private rooms,
options – including minimally invasive spine surgery – designed spine care program is its cutting-edge 3-D surgical imaging ensuring a peaceful and comfortable environment for healing.
to manage and treat both acute and degenerative spine conditions. technology, which enhances the precision of minimally invasive By combining innovative technology with compassionate
“When neck and back pain persist, it may indicate the need procedures. This advanced imaging system provides surgeons care, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center remains committed
to see a spine specialist for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment,” with a detailed, real-time view of the spine, improving accuracy to helping patients overcome neck and back pain, empowering
said Judy Dellosa, orthopedic and spine service line director at and promoting better outcomes. them to live more active and fulfilling lives.
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. “Our goal is to help patients “The combination of minimally invasive techniques and To learn more about our spine care at Palm Beach Gardens
regain mobility, reduce discomfort and return to their daily advanced imaging technology allows us to treat complex spinal Medical Center, contact the Orthopedic Service Line at (855)
activities by offering advanced treatments like minimally invasive conditions with greater precision,” said Dellosa. 769-2969 or visit https://www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com/
spine surgery combined with state-of-the-art technology.” In addition to advanced surgical techniques, Palm Beach services/orthopedic-care.
THERE’S A NEW DERMATOLOGIST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

Samantha Fisher, M.D., F.A.A.D., sees patients of all ages at the Dermatology Associates of the Palm Beaches is a group practice
Dermatology Associates in the Palm Beach Gardens office after more of board-certified dermatologists and fellowship-trained Mohs
than 13 years of experience practicing medical, cosmetic dermatology and surgeons providing general dermatology, surgical dermatology,
and cosmetic dermatology services. These physicians trained
Mohs surgery for skin cancer treatment. at some of America’s great medical institutions and conduct
research into the most advanced treatments. Our physicians are
Dr. Fisher received her Medical and Bachelor of Science degrees with also recognized leaders in the diagnosis and
honors from the University of Florida, where she completed her post- treatment of skin cancer.
graduate training, including serving as Chief Resident in Dermatology.

Her past professional experience includes providing Dermatology services
to patients in Stuart , FL from 2013-2024, Naples, FL from 2012-2013, and
as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Department of Make an appointment to see Dr. Fisher
Dermatology in Gainesville, FL from 2011-2012. in Palm Beach Gardens at
10355 N. Military Trail, Suite A,
Dr. Fisher looks forward to providing you with excellent by calling (561) 622-6976.
dermatology care. www.greatderms.com

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Fisher Seebreeze ad.indd 1 10/15/24 7:38 PM