| Fun Animal Fact of the Month The raccoon gets it’s name from the Algonquin word arakun which means “one who scratches with his hands.” Inspirational Quote Of the Month “Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success.” Brian Adams Welcome to Critter Comrades the Got Wildlife? Monthly newsletter. We hope you enjoy it! This newsletter is for you, if you have any suggestions, questions or topics you would like us to cover please email: For NY contact dan@gotwildlifepro.com For NJ contact dean@gotwildlifepro.com |
ANIMAL FEATURE
Raccoon Have you seen the movie Furry Vengeance? If you are wild about wildlife or are in the business of resolving wildlife/human conflicts you will enjoy this movie. The raccoon is hilarious or should I say what the raccoon does is hilarious and his underlying true nature shines through in the movie. He is cunning, creative, protective and aggressive when provoked. Raccoons will use their five fingered hands to rip into or grab whatever it is they desire, whether it be the siding on your house, a slight space in your soffit or your front lawn digging for grubs. I have even seen one hang from a gutter while rescuing one of it’s kits aka baby raccoons. The raccoons distinctive “mask” fits its reputation as a night-time bandit, thief and garbage raider. Although they appear to be cute and cuddly, they can be very aggressive if they feel threatened. If you encounter one, please give Got Wildlife? a call at 1-877-FUR-FIND and we would welcome the opportunity to assist you. Raccoons are part of the Procyonidae family which includes raccoons, coatis, ringtails, kinkagous and the asian lesser panda. Raccoons range in size from 12 to 36 pounds having a body 26 to 38 inches long including a 10 inch tail. Their coat is long and thick, grizzled, grayish brown, and they have a black mask below white eyebrows. Their Legs are medium in length and their paws are puffy and they have flexible toes used for climbing. They are primarily nocturnal but may be active during the day, especially in the spring and summer when the female is nursing her young and requires more food. They do not hibernate. However, If the temperature drops below 25 degrees fahrenheit they may sleep for days. They do not migrate. Raccoons are opportunists. They eat fruits, berries and mast (acorns, nuts, and seeds from trees), insects, worms, frogs, fish, turtles, mice, crayfish, clams, snails, eggs and young of birds and reptiles, garden, orchard, and field crops, birdseed, pet food, garbage and carion. Raccoons prefer to live in hardwood forests near streams, rivers, swamps, or ponds. They are highly adaptable. They will den in tree cavities and hollow logs, rock crevices, burrows, brush piles, haystacks, beaver lodges, chimneys, attics, crawl spaces, barns, buildings, culverts, storm sewers, and abandoned autos. They usually have a central den (and a few spares) within its range. Females may den together in groups of up to a dozen. Males den by themselves. Raccoons mate in late January to February. Gestation takes approximately 63 days. Typical birthing periods are from March through May. However, late breeding females may give birth as late as August. Raccoons are polygamous, females raise the young alone. In fact, the males will potentially kill the kits if they find them. A typical litter is 3 to 5 kits.  BEST PRACTICES RaccoonIf anyone is feeding the raccoons, persuade them to stop. Put trash out in the morning, instead of the evening, if possible, or keep trash in a protected area. Enclose compost piles in a framed box using hardware cloth or welded wire; in a sturdy container, such as a 55-gallon drum; or in a commercial composter. Feed pets indoors. Any food left outdoors should be removed at night. Pet food bowls should also be brought indoors because they retain attractive odors Although raccoons do appear to be cute and cuddly they are an extremely dangerous animal. Raccoons are the highest carrier of rabies in New York and New Jersey. Their scat fouls yards and other public areas and presents significant health hazards due to the parasites found in their scat, ie roundworm. If you are having any issues with raccoons whether it be a public facility, residential home or commercial property call 1-877-FUR-FIND and Got Wildlife? will provide a professional, humane, permanent resolution to your wildlife/human conflict. Please visit us at www.GotWildlifePro.com IF YOU ARE CRAZY ABOUT WILDLIFE…STAY TUNED..OUR E-COMMERCE SITE IS COMING SOON 5% discount to all war veterans and military personal Mohonk Preserve. Friday July 16th. Toddlers on the trail–Stream walk 10 am to 12 pm. .For more information please visit www.mohonkpreserve.org Museum of Hudson Highlands. Every Tuesday and Weds. in July. Discovering Animals Together from 9:30 am to 10:30 am (ages 2 to 4) and 11 am to 12 pm (ages 3 to 4)at the Wildlife Nature Center. For more information please visit; www.museumhudsonhighlands.org Weinberg Nature Center. www.weinbergnaturecenter.org And for some Wildlife fun all year round visit: www.turtlebackzoo.org – located in West Orange, NJ
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