| If you have ever taken a really good look at the face | | | | reported. |
| of a raccoon, you may have discovered just how | | | | There are six species of raccoon which can be found |
| gosh darn adorable they really are. Despite all the | | | | in North, Central, and South America as well as on |
| mischief they get themselves into (usually at the | | | | some Caribbean islands. Only the common raccoon |
| expense of your property), they are another one of | | | | (called Procyon Iotor), however, is found in parts of the |
| those endearing wild animals you sometimes can't | | | | U.S., all provinces of Canada except Newfoundland |
| resist feeding when you see then in your garden. If you | | | | and Labrador, and Central America. In the 1930's, |
| or your child has a soft toy collection full of wildlife | | | | raccoons were successfully introduced in Germany |
| plush, at the very least, it should also include a raccoon | | | | and the Soviet Union and as a result, today, they have |
| stuffed animal or two. | | | | expanded into Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, |
| Raccoons are best know for their signature | | | | and West Germany. |
| black-face mask. They develop these distinct face | | | | Even though raccoons look cute and cuddly (reports |
| markings about 10 days after they are born, usually | | | | say that it is one of the few wild animals that can go |
| before their eyes open. All that a raccoon needs to | | | | from being a family pet to living back in the wild), don't |
| survive is water, food and some kind of protected | | | | be fooled by their exterior. They are very opportunistic |
| area in which they can den. They are highly adaptable | | | | eaters and are known to be a menace to farmers |
| animals and can live anywhere from forests to urban | | | | given they will devour their domestic fowl and eggs. In |
| cities. In both the northern United States and southern | | | | addition, city dwelling raccoons tear up gardens and |
| Canada, raccoons breed during late winter and early | | | | raid garbage bins, just to name a few of the nuisances |
| spring. | | | | they are responsible for. |
| They grow and fatten up during the summer and fall | | | | If you are planning on adding to that plush wildlife |
| and then they den in the winter. While they conserve | | | | collection sometime soon, you already know that a |
| as much energy as possible in the winter months, they | | | | raccoon stuffed animal will have to find a home there. |
| do not hibernate. They like to den in hollow trees, logs, | | | | At the very least, with a raccoon stuffed animal, you |
| stumps, caves, vacant fox or groundhog burrows and | | | | will never have to worry about evacuating it from an |
| barns. In the city, they will make their den in chimneys, | | | | attic or having to replace your garden every time it |
| sewers, garages, attics, and trees. Adult males den | | | | decides to destroy it. You can go on to enjoy your |
| alone but usually during the their first winter, an entire | | | | raccoon stuffed animal and all of its adorableness |
| family will den together. A many as 23 raccoons | | | | without any of the expense or fuss. |
| occupying communal dens has been previously | | | | |