The raccoon is a medium-sized mammal and the biggest member of the procyonid family, with 22 recognized subspecies. Its most distinguishable aspect is the black mask of fur in the vicinity of its eye area.

Many folktales from the mythology of the ancient inhabitants in the Americas surround the raccoon. Individuals felt that enduring rituals of painting their faces to imitate its mask would help them connect to literal beings. Countless tales represented the raccoon as a trickster that would continuously outsmart other wildlife.

These fairy tales are moderately grounded in fact, as the raccoon is considered to be a sensible and scheming animal with the capacity of learning and memorizing solutions to tasks for up to three years. Raccoons are often referred to as sly coons or nature's small bandits. These pests have a density of neurons in their cerebral cortex very similar to that of primates. Also, they have a very well-developed sense of touch and their highly dexterous front paws have five toes in it and act much like human hands.

Even novice raccoons can quite readily open jars, uncork bottles, or open door latches. As adaptive animals, they're known to live in urban areas where they're often regarded as pets. Even though they could look like harmless animals that you could interact with its worth remembering that there are a number of ways that raccoons can harm humans. Based on the most experts, keeping a raccoon as a pet isn't a good idea since its not a domesticated species.

Let's look at a couple of cases in point. While 28-year-old Michaela Lee, was walking her dog in Lakewood Washington, she had been attacked by a group of raccoons. The attack happened after her six-year-old dog got loose and chased among the raccoons up a tree. She went to seize the dog'sleash and that's when the critters began scratching her legs. Lee tried to perform, however the raccoons chased her, got between her legs, and locked her down.

They began biting and scratching her arms and legs, as the woman struggled to keep them from reaching her face.

Madison's barking and snarling eventually drove them off. The neighbors heard her screens, and called 911. She was treated for numerous scratches and also 16 puncture rounds and required staples in her arms and leg, and a round of rabies treatment.

Even though they're North American, raccoons can also be found in Central America, Japan and Europe,

Until now thought to be solo critters, latest research implies that they engage in gender-specific social behavior. Related females are known to share a common area, while unrelated males will live in groups of up to four animals to maintain their position against invaders and other men when mating season comes. Because they're so adaptable, raccoons can make their home in a wide selection of habitats and climates. These homes are called dens and their location ranges from caves and tree hollows to abandoned vehicles, barns, attics along with other man-made structures.

Raccoons are nocturnal and omnivorous creatures, meaning that they're most active at night and they eat both meat and vegetation.

Some of their favorite animal treats include rodents, insects, bird eggs, frogs or crayfish. If food sources are scarce, raccoons are known to eat roadkill or scavenge human trash.

In December 2017, a four-month-old girl named Jourini was the victim of a horrific raccoon attack when her mother took her six-year-previous son to the bathroom. Jourini was asleep on a bed in their Philadelphia home.

When the Rodgers returned, she was shocked to find her daughter dragged across the room with blood all over her face and pajamas.

Jourini was taken up to the hospital receiving no less than 65 stitches, but was expected to recover. An officer from The Care and Control Team of Philadelphia went to the home, but didnt manage to find the raccoon. Traps were set in the building that many other residents complained has been the site of a raccoon infestation.

In several instances, raccoons were cited as being the primary rabies carriers in the US.

The increase is caused by rabies carried in the saliva which can be transmitted through bites. The post-exposure treatment is both costly and painfull. The behavior of rabid raccoons will be unpredictable, and they can attack you. Only one human death has been linked directly to the virus commonly known as raccoon rabies. There have already been cases, however, where raccoons have killed pets and even children.

Raccoon feces and urine will be the most main entrance aspect regarding the animal as they may contain bacteria or parbecauseites which can affect pets and humans. Leptospirosis, a bacteria found in raccoon urine is very dangerous if its ingested or if it touches an open round. Unless it is treated promptly, Leptospirosis definitely can lead to potentially fateful consequences, such as for example meningitis or kidney failure.