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Who here has had the opportunity to pet a raccoon?

BlackMesa1996

BlackMesa1996

Tourist
As the title says, who here has actually been able to pet a raccoon?, I'm one of those lucky few. Have this little buddy who always comes up to my window at night like instinct. I open the screen, he climbs into my room, I give him some goldfish crackers, and while he eats I pet him, and he stays completely calm and friendly, doesn't attempt to bite or attack me or anything. Nothing sexual of course, but just something interesting, that not many get the opportunity to do in life.
 
Maybe lucky, maybe not. Be careful if you're east of the West Slopes of the Rockies. Raccoons can be rabid for a number of years, before showing symptoms, can be born with it, and live long enough to give birth to another generation before dying. Researchers in hydrophobia use them as subjects because they withstand it for years. When they are in the "Galloping Rabies" stage, they AREN'T a pretty sight; they're obviously sick and dying. But that end stage may only be two or three weeks of 150-200 weeks of life.

To answer the question, yes...many years ago a friend had a pet 'coon named Jimmy. He was quite friendly, constantly curious, always in trouble. He was caged while we were in school, but loose as soon as the school day was done. They are fun....just be aware.
 
saddlebum66 said:
Maybe lucky, maybe not. Be careful if you're east of the West Slopes of the Rockies. Raccoons can be rabid for a number of years, before showing symptoms, can be born with it, and live long enough to give birth to another generation before dying. Researchers in hydrophobia use them as subjects because they withstand it for years. When they are in the "Galloping Rabies" stage, they AREN'T a pretty sight; they're obviously sick and dying. But that end stage may only be two or three weeks of 150-200 weeks of life.

To answer the question, yes...many years ago a friend had a pet 'coon named Jimmy. He was quite friendly, constantly curious, always in trouble. He was caged while we were in school, but loose as soon as the school day was done. They are fun....just be aware.
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I'm not even close to there. I live....well... without giving any identifying info, in the top portion of Indiana.
 
BlackMesa1996 said:
I'm not even close to there. I live....well... without giving any identifying info, in the top portion of Indiana.
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Bud...you ARE East of the Western slope of the Rockies. Thats the entire North American continent east of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, part of Utah, Western Colorado, and New Mexico. the Rockies separate East from West. You're in the Zone. On my side of the Continental Divide, Raccoons aren't as common as where you are. The mountains are high enough to act as a barrier. In many States back east, if you capture a Raccoon alive you CANNOT legally relocate and free it; the law requires their destruction. Your state MAY be one if them. This is specifically to prevent the summertime spread of Rabies. The so-called "Dog Days" of summer are more closely related to raccoons than to canines. those days correspond to the time when Raccoon kits are first away from Mama, and are wandering. They tangle with a dog or cat and thus spread rabies.
Note that I'm not saying don't enjoy your time with this critter. But knowledge IS power. If you should get bitten or scratched by the animal, get checked out.
 
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