Raccoons: Loved or hated - hard to ignore

This article was created in response the Quest call: Wild about Animals.

A few years ago, when my wife and daughters were heavily into "collections" they had cornered all the good ones - bears, frogs, monkeys, etc. When I decided I wanted to do one, a collection that is, I wanted something not normally collected, but available if you looked hard. I came up with - you guessed it - Raccoon stuff. Over a few years, I collected more than I expected... Now, what do I do with that stuff. Well, I was about to do a collectible lens on raccoons, but went a different direction.

Now, here I am, doing an article on Raccoons. They are fascinating creatures, so let's go on a little journey here, to learn more - and, maybe we'll find some more collectibles along the way, as well! ;-)

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon

Raccoons - Love 'em or Hate 'em?

Experts urge against it!

Raccoons are not a domesticated animal.

An exotic pet permit may be required.

The image is a tree cage: a pen with climbing facilities, hiding places, and a watering hole.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon#Pet_raccoons

Click on the link to learn more about raccoons as pets.

Raccoons typically live in groups of three or four in what has been described as a "fission-fusion" society. They share a common area and meet at feeding or resting areas. Behavior varies from male to female, from young to old.

A raccoons home range varied in size and shape depending on age, gender and habitat. Odor marks on prominent place are believed to be used to designate territories.

Click on the link to learn more about typical raccoon social behavior.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon#Social_behavi...

This is a photo of a few of my raccoon collectible items showing the variety if choices that are available. Do you have any of them? Maybe I'll list a few of them on eBid so you have a chance to buy them. Any interest?

Mating season is usually late January to mid-March, when light begins to increase.

Gestation averages 53-65 days, but can be 54-70 days, with a typical litter being two to five kits.

The image of the kit - the baby raccoon - is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon#Reproduction.

Click on the link to learn more about the raccoon reproduction cycle.