Raccoon

The raccoon, in the family Procyonidae, is found in most parts of North America. They usually live in forests, nearby water, which provides important food, such as crabs and other small animals that live in the water.

No teddy bear

With their funny eye masks raccoons look very endearing, but whoever thinks he or she has bought a sociable housemate, is in for a big surprise. This nimble climber and fisherman is rarely active during the day and does not feel like a long walk on the beach or like frolicking around with the children. Being a half solitary animal a raccoon has no need for company. It prefers to go in search of food at night. Its sensitive fingers help the animal to easily open the refrigerator and turn over garbage cans. Because of its instinctive preference for water it will regularly flood the kitchen or bathroom.

Disciplining a raccoon is impossible. A corrective slap will bring it to growl and bite. Once they realise the animal is unmanageable, many owners lock it up in a cage, which results in even more frustration for the animal.

Nearly all raccoons host a specific type of round-worm that does not cause them any harm. However, this parasite can cause diseases in other animals and human beings and can even lead to death. The exceptionally long latency time of the small eggs (15 years!) makes it extremely difficult to eradicate the parasite. Even a raccoons cage will remain a health risk for years.