by Sarah
Americans can be separated into three groups when it comes to raccoons. The first group is neutral. These people don’t hate raccoons or love them. Then there are those who want to make them into hats and would like to shoot them whenever they get the chance. The last group cares; you know the ones who have cute stuffed animal raccoons and cry when one dies in a movie. My goal for this article is to make sure you are part of this last group that loves raccoons.
Americans can be separated into three groups when it comes to raccoons. The first group is neutral. These people don’t hate raccoons or love them. Then there are those who want to make them into hats and would like to shoot them whenever they get the chance. The last group cares; you know the ones who have cute stuffed animal raccoons and cry when one dies in a movie. My goal for this article is to make sure you are part of this last group that loves raccoons.
Raccoons are great! They have beautiful, big eyes, covered by a “mask”, giving them a burglar look. They have thick, gray, and brown fur with a ringed tail. They eat a lot of fish, seeds, nuts, eggs, birds and trash, depending on where they live. Raccoons can weigh 15-40 pounds! They have a hunched over back because they have longer back legs than front.
Raccoons are not good at getting along with other animals because they are very territorial. There have been reports of raccoons fighting animals from cougars to dogs. They generally live only 1-3 years in captivity, but can live as long as 20 years. Despite their odd behavior they are often kept as pets, which is not the best idea. Raccoons can bite and scratch when they become adults and most people don’t understand how much attention and care they need. They can be taught to use a kitty litter, but they are mischievous and will keep their owners very busy. It’s best, in my opinion, to leave raccoons in the outdoors and where they are free to live in the wild.
Raccoons are not good at getting along with other animals because they are very territorial. There have been reports of raccoons fighting animals from cougars to dogs. They generally live only 1-3 years in captivity, but can live as long as 20 years. Despite their odd behavior they are often kept as pets, which is not the best idea. Raccoons can bite and scratch when they become adults and most people don’t understand how much attention and care they need. They can be taught to use a kitty litter, but they are mischievous and will keep their owners very busy. It’s best, in my opinion, to leave raccoons in the outdoors and where they are free to live in the wild.
Types of Raccoons
There are seven species of raccoons. The most common is the North American Raccoon. Another species is the cozumel “pygmy” raccoon. These raccoons are adorable. They are tiny, fluffy, big-eyed raccoons that are sadly endangered. They are only found on one island in the entire world, off the Yucatan peninsula. Also there are only about 500 pygmy raccoons left in the world. The reason for this is that people have been taking their habitat from them and they have no way to get off the island, also they are prey to many animals from cats to cobras. They are also prone to diseases. Nothing has been done to save these poor helpless creatures. Other species of raccoons include the crab-eating raccoon and the cacomistle raccoon.
There are seven species of raccoons. The most common is the North American Raccoon. Another species is the cozumel “pygmy” raccoon. These raccoons are adorable. They are tiny, fluffy, big-eyed raccoons that are sadly endangered. They are only found on one island in the entire world, off the Yucatan peninsula. Also there are only about 500 pygmy raccoons left in the world. The reason for this is that people have been taking their habitat from them and they have no way to get off the island, also they are prey to many animals from cats to cobras. They are also prone to diseases. Nothing has been done to save these poor helpless creatures. Other species of raccoons include the crab-eating raccoon and the cacomistle raccoon.
Why people consider Raccoons to be Pests
Raccoon are sometimes seen as pests. They maraud through trash, hide, attack and occasionally chew through walls. According to Quora.com, raccoons are hated because they are smart and so they can break into garages and dig in yards. They are clever and know how to survive. They are also disliked because they are aggressive, challenging other animals and humans. But other than aggressively searching for trash and chewing, people also don’t like them because they can be very destructive. They can do a lot of damage to a lawn, garage, or even inside a house. However, this is not a reason to hate them!
Sadly, raccoons are being hunted for their fuzzy fur and even their meat. People wear thick, warm hats made from raccoon fur. Most upsetting is the fact that these precious animals are being hunted for sport all over the United States. Raccoon hunters like hunting raccoons because it gives their dogs a real challenge when hunting. The raccoons will lead the dogs all over the forest by sneaking all over and sometimes even going into a stream or river to block their scent.
Raccoon are sometimes seen as pests. They maraud through trash, hide, attack and occasionally chew through walls. According to Quora.com, raccoons are hated because they are smart and so they can break into garages and dig in yards. They are clever and know how to survive. They are also disliked because they are aggressive, challenging other animals and humans. But other than aggressively searching for trash and chewing, people also don’t like them because they can be very destructive. They can do a lot of damage to a lawn, garage, or even inside a house. However, this is not a reason to hate them!
Sadly, raccoons are being hunted for their fuzzy fur and even their meat. People wear thick, warm hats made from raccoon fur. Most upsetting is the fact that these precious animals are being hunted for sport all over the United States. Raccoon hunters like hunting raccoons because it gives their dogs a real challenge when hunting. The raccoons will lead the dogs all over the forest by sneaking all over and sometimes even going into a stream or river to block their scent.
In conclusion, raccoons are smart, funny, fascinating animals. They should not be considered pests just because they are smart and clever. Left alone in their natural habitat, this cleverness comes in handy. However, this cleverness is not appreciated by most humans when they are sharing the same habitat. I hope you are now part of the “loving raccoons” group!
My Idea To Help Endangered Cozumel Raccoons
April 2, 2015
Chicago Zoological Society
3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513
Dear Chicago Zoological Society Members,
My name is Sarah and I am 10 years old. I really enjoy visiting the Brookfield Zoo and I love animals. I have an idea that will save the endangered species of the Cozumel Raccoons. These adorable raccoons are not surviving on their island because of many things, habitat loss, being fed junk food by tourists, not being able to escape hunting on their tiny island and more.
The Cozumel Raccoons (or as most know them The Pygmy Raccoons) could have their own exhibit decorated like the Cozumel Islands, their natural habitat. Not only will it help save the Pygmy Raccoons, many people will want to visit the Brookfield Zoo seeing you will be the only zoo in the world with Pygmy Raccoons.
I have come up with a fundraiser idea to help pay for the exhibit, “Pizza for the Pygmy Raccoons”. People could pay a certain amount for pizza at the Brookfield Zoo, and after pizza they could check out all of your other fascinating exhibits. If you would like to know more about the Pygmy Raccoons you could see my article about Pygmy Raccoons at www.foralltheanimals.com. If you are interested please contact me at yekcihharas@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Sarah
Chicago Zoological Society
3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513
Dear Chicago Zoological Society Members,
My name is Sarah and I am 10 years old. I really enjoy visiting the Brookfield Zoo and I love animals. I have an idea that will save the endangered species of the Cozumel Raccoons. These adorable raccoons are not surviving on their island because of many things, habitat loss, being fed junk food by tourists, not being able to escape hunting on their tiny island and more.
The Cozumel Raccoons (or as most know them The Pygmy Raccoons) could have their own exhibit decorated like the Cozumel Islands, their natural habitat. Not only will it help save the Pygmy Raccoons, many people will want to visit the Brookfield Zoo seeing you will be the only zoo in the world with Pygmy Raccoons.
I have come up with a fundraiser idea to help pay for the exhibit, “Pizza for the Pygmy Raccoons”. People could pay a certain amount for pizza at the Brookfield Zoo, and after pizza they could check out all of your other fascinating exhibits. If you would like to know more about the Pygmy Raccoons you could see my article about Pygmy Raccoons at www.foralltheanimals.com. If you are interested please contact me at yekcihharas@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Sarah
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