Page 23 - Southern Exposure - April '25

Southern Exposure, Page 23

NortherN Notes from page 21

often rub and roll objects in their hands or will even rub
their hands together when they are not holding anything.
Raccoons are also extremely intelligent and good at
solving complex problems. Some measures of intelligence
have placed raccoons above cats but below primates in
their ability to distinguish between objects. They have
exceptional memories and can remember the solution to
tasks for up to three years without reinforcement.
Raccoons will eat almost anything. Raccoons are not
fussy about their choice of food. Although classified as
a carnivore, the raccoon eats as much, if not more, plant
matter as animal matter during the year. When ripe fruits,
acorns, and seeds are available, raccoons feed heavily on
them. At other times and places, they will feed on bird and
turtle eggs, insects, crayfish and crabs, frogs, fish and small abundant, raccoon populations rise to curb the population
mammals. They’ll eat dead animals that they encounter, growth. Raccoons also help protect bees by feeding on wasps,
raid bird feeders for seed and pet food bowls for kibble and one of the bee’s main predators.
check out garbage cans that aren’t secured. Perhaps their most important role in the ecosystem is
Raccoons are not fussy about their living quarters either. consuming carrion (or dead animal carcasses), which helps
Under normal conditions, they usually select a den in a hollow keep the ecosystem clean. In addition to benefiting ecosystems,
tree limb instead of the trunk. Dens in trees may be anywhere raccoons also help keep urban areas clean by consuming dead
from ground level to 60 feet above ground. However, in animals on our streets.
urban areas, raccoons demonstrate their adaptability by While raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and
choosing a wide variety of “cavities,” including rock and roundworm, good hygiene and not handling raccoons can limit
debris piles, attics, crawl spaces beneath homes, decks, sheds, the spread. The best advice is to leave them alone, give them
culverts, sewer drains and the burrows of other animals. This their space, wash your hands after gardening, and secure trash
adaptability is a testament to their resilience and survival skills cans or other tantalizing targets. If you suspect a raccoon is
in the face of changing environments. sick or behaving unusually, it’s best to contact local wildlife
Like all living creatures, raccoons play a critical role in their authorities for assistance.
ecosystems. Their role can be similar to that of a gardener or NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is
pest control, and they’re often referred to as a natural “cleanup not a garbage disposal – don’t treat it like one. Encourage
crew.” The raccoon diet, a mix of plants, invertebrates and residents to take responsibility and to not dump chemicals,
small mammals, serves a unique purpose in the ecosystem. fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or pipes. Discourage
When they consume berries and nuts, raccoons act as natural sweeping of lawn clippings and dirt into street drains
gardeners, distributing seeds to promote the growth of new and disposing of lawn clippings and other debris (wood,
plants and trees. Their digging behavior contributes to soil concrete blocks, Christmas trees, etc.) directly into retention
turnover, promoting decomposition and plant renewal. lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear of vegetation, trash,
Raccoons help control populations of parasitic species improperly and illegally discarded appliances, shopping
like lizards, frogs, toads and rats. When these creatures grow carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.

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