Changes

==Food==

==Food==

In the wild, a raccoon is an [[omnivore]], eating plants and animals.  Its menu includes plants like [[berries]], [[acorns]], and [[grapes]].  It also eats animals including baby [[mice]], baby [[birds]] & [[eggs]], [[frogs]], [[fish]], [[crayfish]], [[fiddler crabs]], , and even some [[snakes]].  Around people, the raccoon loves to eat [[corn]] found in garbage, other common [[vegetables]] in gardens, and even animals killed by cars ([[roadkill]]).  Essentially, raccoons can live almost anywhere and eat nearly anything.  It can walk, run, climb, and swim.  It usually walks on all fours, but can stand up straight to see over tall stumps or grasses.  Raccoons live about five years in the wild and up to 20 in captivity. <ref>https://www.orkincanada.ca/blog/raccoon-lifespan/</ref><ref>https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/raccoon-nation-raccoon-fact-sheet/7553/</ref>

In the wild, a raccoon is an [[omnivore]], eating plants and animals.  Its menu includes plants like [[berries]], [[acorns]], and [[grapes]].  It also eats animals including baby [[mice]], baby [[birds]] & [[eggs]], [[frogs]], [[fish]], [[crayfish]], [[fiddler crabs]], and even some [[snakes]].  Around people, the raccoon loves to eat [[corn]] found in garbage, other common [[vegetables]] in gardens, and even animals killed by cars ([[roadkill]]).  Essentially, raccoons can live almost anywhere and eat nearly anything.  It can walk, run, climb, and swim.  It usually walks on all fours, but can stand up straight to see over tall stumps or grasses.  Raccoons live about five years in the wild and up to 20 in captivity.<ref>https://www.orkincanada.ca/blog/raccoon-lifespan/</ref><ref>https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/raccoon-nation-raccoon-fact-sheet/7553/</ref>

==Lifestyle==

==Lifestyle==

==Rabies==

==Rabies==

Raccoons can catch [[disease]]s like [[rabies]] and distemper, which make them act very strangely. <ref>https://www.skedaddlewildlife.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-a-raccoon-is-rabid/</ref>  A healthy raccoon will hardly ever walk right up to a person (unless someone has been feeding it).  If a raccoon exhibits these symptoms, it may be sick, and the area should immediately be evacuated and/or put into lockdown if it is in a public area.  Often, the raccoons that get hit by cars are sick (or perhaps trying to eat other roadkill).  Humans can catch rabies if they are bitten.  If someone is bitten, they must get shots to prevent contracting the disease.  Shots obviously do not feel pleasant, but they are a viable alternative to getting the disease and [[Death|dying]].  The best thing to do is never touch, feed, or go near a wild animal.  A full-grown [[adult]] looks very tall and dangerous to a wild animal.  The raccoon may bite you because it is afraid.  If you stay away from the animal, it will not be able to bite you.

Raccoons can catch [[disease]]s like [[rabies]] and distemper, which make them act very strangely.<ref>https://www.skedaddlewildlife.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-a-raccoon-is-rabid/</ref>  A healthy raccoon will hardly ever walk right up to a person (unless someone has been feeding it).  If a raccoon exhibits these symptoms, it may be sick, and the area should immediately be evacuated and/or put into lockdown if it is in a public area.  Often, the raccoons that get hit by cars are sick (or perhaps trying to eat other roadkill).  Humans can catch rabies if they are bitten.  If someone is bitten, they must get shots to prevent contracting the disease.  Shots obviously do not feel pleasant, but they are a viable alternative to getting the disease and [[Death|dying]].  The best thing to do is never touch, feed, or go near a wild animal.  A full-grown [[adult]] looks very tall and dangerous to a wild animal.  The raccoon may bite you because it is afraid.  If you stay away from the animal, it will not be able to bite you.

==Raccoons In Popular Culture==

==Raccoons In Popular Culture==

RJ Raccoon: The lovable protagonist from the comic strip and CGI animated film Over the Hedge. RJ was voiced by Bruce Willis.

RJ Raccoon: The lovable protagonist from the comic strip and CGI animated film Over the Hedge. RJ was voiced by Bruce Willis.

Ranger Rick: A forest ranger character owned by the National Wildlife Federation, appearing in his own children's magazines <ref>https://rangerrick.org/</ref>. His goal was to teach children conservation and nature studies.

Ranger Rick: A forest ranger character owned by the National Wildlife Federation, appearing in his own children's magazines.<ref>https://rangerrick.org/</ref> His goal was to teach children conservation and nature studies.

The Orphans: Characters created by the Swiss Colony mail-order food company appear on a variety of products, from log-shaped [[chocolate]] cakes to coffee mugs, featuring three baby raccoons.

The Orphans: Characters created by the Swiss Colony mail-order food company appear on a variety of products, from log-shaped [[chocolate]] cakes to coffee mugs, featuring three baby raccoons.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Carnivores]]

[[Category:Carnivores]]

[[Category:Mammals]]

[[Category:Mammals]]

[[Category:Animals]]

[[Category:Animals]]