Raccoon Research Paper

To begin with raccoons are highly intelligent and curious creatures, the raccoon’s scientific name is Procyon lotor, and they are natively found throughout most of North America. Recently, raccoons have emerged in parts of Europe and Japan. Traditionally, raccoons prefer wooded areas with access to trees, water and abundant vegetation. Near their locations they make their dens in the hollow parts of the trees as well as abandoned burrows, traveling up to 18 miles to forage for food. Raccoons are very adaptable. They are often found in suburban/ urban areas, making their homes in man-made structures like attics, sewers, barns and sheds. These mammals can destroy gardens, as well make a mess by tipping over garbage cans, and can cause structural damage in search of food. In
Raccoons can carry several bacterial diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans and pets through a bite or the ingestion of raccoon waste. Some diseases that can affect humans and pets include leptospirosis, salmonella, roundworm, and rabies. Although, raccoons are notorious for carrying rabies, there has only been one case human death from raccoon rabies in the United States. Some signs that a raccoon may have rabies include aggressiveness, unusual vocalization, and excessive drool or foam from the mouth. And finally some fun facts about raccoons, a raccoon will rinse its food in water prior to eating it. When there is no water close by, a raccoon will still rub its food to remove debris, some hypothesize that the purpose of a raccoon's black mask is to reduce glare, helping it to see better in the dark, a group of raccoons is called a nursery, raccoons weigh from 7-20 pounds and can grow up to 12 inches, and although raccoons only live 2-3 years in the wild, a raccoon can live up to 20 years in captivity, they are also outstanding actors (guardians of the galaxy