The local coon family has been at my corn every night this week. You can tell when sweet corn is ripe because you find coon corn on the ground where they've picked it using their little oposable thumbs and agile fingers. This particular group is a mother and her three half grown nitwit babies who live next door in Cheryl's big hollow oak tree. They've woken me up many nights mock fighting on the roof or flopping around on my air conditioner reaching for Mulberries. I'd like to have that giant Mulberry tree removed, but, it's too expensive.
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They sure do like the sweet corn and they aren't wasting it, so they're welcome to it. Feeding three teenage kids is probably hard for a single mother. As long as they don't waste it all, I won't bitch. That Mama coon is a strange one, I've seen her up close and she's an odd yellow color and is way too friendly. You don't want to be friendly with a mama Coon, trust me. I tell my Mom she has to stop leaving those big pans of cat food out on the back porch, but, she won't listen. Raccoons love dry cat food and that Mama is always in there eating Meow Mix. It would be better for everyone if they just left her a bowl out by the hollow tree. But, no one listens to me and I've forbid Lissa from going back there without me now. She loves going back there to see if there's any new feral kittens, but, she has to come get me now. Mom just rolls her eyes at me, but, she doesn't know Coons. Some people think I'm just being a know it all, but, when it comes to Coons, I DO know the scoop, because I've lived with many of them, and today I'm putting a lock on that gate back there to keep Lissa out in case she thinks she can sneak back there.
They sure do like the sweet corn and they aren't wasting it, so they're welcome to it. Feeding three teenage kids is probably hard for a single mother. As long as they don't waste it all, I won't bitch. That Mama coon is a strange one, I've seen her up close and she's an odd yellow color and is way too friendly. You don't want to be friendly with a mama Coon, trust me. I tell my Mom she has to stop leaving those big pans of cat food out on the back porch, but, she won't listen. Raccoons love dry cat food and that Mama is always in there eating Meow Mix. It would be better for everyone if they just left her a bowl out by the hollow tree. But, no one listens to me and I've forbid Lissa from going back there without me now. She loves going back there to see if there's any new feral kittens, but, she has to come get me now. Mom just rolls her eyes at me, but, she doesn't know Coons. Some people think I'm just being a know it all, but, when it comes to Coons, I DO know the scoop, because I've lived with many of them, and today I'm putting a lock on that gate back there to keep Lissa out in case she thinks she can sneak back there.
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Male Raccoons are different than females, so if you have a big male hanging around, it's probably okay to feed him even if he's growly. Males are lazy and they don't usually hunt, they scavenge. They eat whatever they find and they're known for mock attacks. The worst that could happen is you could get a sore finger from a snap and that would happen only if you didn't release the food soon enough, they're real greedy and always hungry. But, females are dangerous as all get out once they reach sexual maturity. I've seen them kill good sized dogs. And if you feed them, they see YOU as a food source and they will eventually try and kill you to get all the food. They don't think that part out real well, it's just instinct. They don't fool around biting your arms, they go for the throat and try to rip out your jugular. If you are unprepared, it's quite possible they could do it too.
Male Raccoons are different than females, so if you have a big male hanging around, it's probably okay to feed him even if he's growly. Males are lazy and they don't usually hunt, they scavenge. They eat whatever they find and they're known for mock attacks. The worst that could happen is you could get a sore finger from a snap and that would happen only if you didn't release the food soon enough, they're real greedy and always hungry. But, females are dangerous as all get out once they reach sexual maturity. I've seen them kill good sized dogs. And if you feed them, they see YOU as a food source and they will eventually try and kill you to get all the food. They don't think that part out real well, it's just instinct. They don't fool around biting your arms, they go for the throat and try to rip out your jugular. If you are unprepared, it's quite possible they could do it too.
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Raccoons are susceptible to Rabies, but, I've never seen a rabid Coon. I think that's because they're real smart and can smell sickness. They wouldn't go near it unless they were starving. There is a legend about a secondary form of Rabies that you can only catch by eating the brain or spinal cord of an infected animal. I don't know if that's scientific but, that disease, whatever it is, I've seen in females with babies to feed. They are ravenous and mean and will eat anything. But, you can't catch it from them biting you. It just makes them crazy and dangerous. Not normal dangerous, but, real weird dangerous. Maybe it's a hormonal insanity, I don't know. It's real though. You can tell the one's who have it. They stalk you and try to get in your house, and they usually find a way. Their intent is to kill you. And become the new Queen and own your refrigerator, which they can all open. This may all sound like bullshit to you, but, I had it happen and the female coon in question even knew what car I drove and set up ambushes by it. That's a real good horror story that's sort of like Cujo. If Cujo had thumbs. She eventually met my 12 gage and I hunted out her nest and raised her babies, who were all sweet.
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All older kids should have a pet Coon once, they're adorable. They're my favorite animal, next to dogs, and I think maybe they might be smarter than dogs. They have a universal language which they taught me and they pick up the English language quicker than a dog or a parrot. They're entertaining as hell and I think all country children over the age of 10 should have a coon Summer once, as long as they're prepared to be a Mama Raccoon and teach the orphan how to hunt and fish and be a Raccoon. Because you have to let them go in the fall. That's when they mature and you can't keep them after that, they're too unpredictable and they will tear up everything you own..and everything the neighbors own. And you can't just raise a coon as a pet and then "turn it loose." That's not right and it makes the Coon go to people for food and scares everyone and they always end up being shot. But, they sure can be a good Summer pet, following you around, swimming with you and sleeping in your bed. And then you can feel like a hero when you release them, knowing they are a real Raccoon who will do just fine on their own. It's a good feeling. If you or your kid would like to be a Coon parent for a Summer (and if you live in the country) the best thing to do is call a tree service and leave your number. They always find or make oprhans in the Spring when they take down trees. I know I'm not supposed to recommend that, some people would rather let nature take it's course and have them all die of starvation, but, I think that's mean. There's nothing cuter than a baby Coon.
All older kids should have a pet Coon once, they're adorable. They're my favorite animal, next to dogs, and I think maybe they might be smarter than dogs. They have a universal language which they taught me and they pick up the English language quicker than a dog or a parrot. They're entertaining as hell and I think all country children over the age of 10 should have a coon Summer once, as long as they're prepared to be a Mama Raccoon and teach the orphan how to hunt and fish and be a Raccoon. Because you have to let them go in the fall. That's when they mature and you can't keep them after that, they're too unpredictable and they will tear up everything you own..and everything the neighbors own. And you can't just raise a coon as a pet and then "turn it loose." That's not right and it makes the Coon go to people for food and scares everyone and they always end up being shot. But, they sure can be a good Summer pet, following you around, swimming with you and sleeping in your bed. And then you can feel like a hero when you release them, knowing they are a real Raccoon who will do just fine on their own. It's a good feeling. If you or your kid would like to be a Coon parent for a Summer (and if you live in the country) the best thing to do is call a tree service and leave your number. They always find or make oprhans in the Spring when they take down trees. I know I'm not supposed to recommend that, some people would rather let nature take it's course and have them all die of starvation, but, I think that's mean. There's nothing cuter than a baby Coon.
13 comments:
And here's how you know I'm a city girl... A RACCOON IN YOUR BED?? SERIOUSLY?
The whole time I was reading this I was picturing the raccoon from the Disney version of Pocohontas. lol. He was cute. What other animals besides primates and raccoons have oposable thumbs? Must mean they are meant to be smart, they've got an advantage over everyone else.
They slept in my bed because they thought I was their Mama and they needed feeding every couple of hours with a warm bottle. They don't always sleep with their real Mamas, in fact, Coons build two nests. One is just for the adult and is a decoy for any preditors and it's always in seeing range of the real nest. But, I'd wrap them in towels and sleep with them, because they were so tiny and scared and I usually had no litter mates to keep them warm. It's a lot of work. I think it would teach a kid a lot about real babies.
And they always crawled in my bed when they got big because they liked it and they had a doggie door. They usually didn't get home until dawn, they're nocturnal. That made for some good fun when I'd have an overnight, ahem, guest. You can weed out the real men that way. LMAO!
LMAO!!! I can't even imagine! Too funny.
A couple of summers ago I decided to feed racoons for evening entertainment. This all started after seeing a big fat coon waddling across my patio in broad daylight. That night I gathered up the dinner leftovers (chicken bones, potato peels, corn cobs)and after dark set the dish out a few feet from the sliding glass door and layed down on my stomach and waited for the show. Didn't take long for that show to start. And oh fuck here come the skunks! I freaked out. Started with one skunk and they just kept coming. They were fighting and I thought spraying was next but it never happened. Next night same thing except I put cat food out, alot of cat food so the show would last longer. After about 30 minutes my racoon finally showed up and he ran off all the skunks. More racoons showed up. As the days went by they started bring the babies too and I took that to mean they felt comfortable. Did this all summer. Cheap entertainmment for the price of cat food. Then I got a dog so we don't do that anymore:)
got coonducation, love it! They sound like lots of work, just like really critters, I mean children!
ali
Racoons crack me up. They're fearless. Last summer, some friends and I were grilling a beautiful pork loin for dinner on their back deck. My friend took it off the grill and put in on a platter and then set it on the table on the deck. We all went back in to finish side items and such. Next thing we hear is maniacal laughter from the resident 4 year old. 3 raccoons were perched on the table just helping themselves.
LOL Alanna, I can just see them doing that. They were so smart I saw them making primitive tools and using them.
Has anyone considered racoons carry Rabies. I wouldn't risk feeding a Racoon by hand.
I live in the city but we have to be carefulw with outdoor food, or we will have coons. Ours like to hide in garages and if you accidentally corner them when you come home, theey wikol attack you. Best thing is just back off and leave them alone. I never stayed around long enough to observe cute behavior. We did have to stop feeding birds and squirrels because the food attracted coons. And, I have small dogs that would be in danger.
Cute ones I did see are in the Everglades in Florida. They are "trained" and wait for the tour boats to come around and feed them. So when they hear the boats, they come to the edges of the mangroves and wait for the boats and treats.
They are cute but you just have to have a healthy respect for them. And, if the build a home (nest) somewhere they aren't wanted, it is really a problem getting them out. One just needs to know what they are doing to manage them.
I agree, they can seem mean. It's their nature. I forgot to add that if you raise one you have to be prepared to "fight" it when it matures. That's what the Mama Raccoon does in nature and she kicks them out. They all come back a few times and challenge you. These fights can be wicked and loud, but, the bites are minor, they don't really want to hurt their mother. It's just part of the growing up and moving out stage. You have to stand your ground and growl and box them right back, so they know you mean it.
And when you've "won" the battle and they put their heads down and back off from you and turn away, it just breaks your heart, even though you know it's what's best for them.
We have an exclusive restaurant here that looks over a ravine. This ravine is a pathway for the raccoons to travel about. So, window seats in the restaurants are "choice" seats and always requested and full because the guests want to watch the raccoons antics during their dinner.
You have taught me many things I didn't know about raccoons that I didn't know. Thanks!
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