Wayward Raccoon

baby raccoon
Originally uploaded by highdesertmuseum

By Erica in the Education Department

While the museum is home to many rehabilitated or imprinted animals, we still have visitors of the wild variety that find the museum grounds to be a good place to make a home.

This young raccoon was found taking a mid-day snooze in the pond grasses opposite the By Hands Through Memory exhibit earlier today.

While this little bundle of fur is undeniably adorable, it’s also undeniably wild and certain precautions are needed to keep all of the visitors, staff, and animals safe from this wild animal.

Raccoon Fun Facts::
Medium size mammal native to North America.
Omnivores whose diets primarily consist of carnivorous substance.
Generally nocturnal and engage in gender-specific social behaviors.
Life expectancy in the wild is 2.5 years. This low life expectancy is often the result of human activity (traffic and hunting).

Based on these general characteristics of all raccoons, our young solitary sleeper throws up some red flags to our wildlife staff.

According to Otis Powell, Senior Wildlife Specialist, the location of this young raccoon's resting spot is unusual, as it should be more comfortable in a den-like hideout during the day. Also, this solo lifestyle is not generally seen with wild raccoons -- but when your bachelor pad comes with a stocked pond and a cleaning service can you blame the little guy for not sharing?

For now we’re watching from afar. This is a good reminder about the importance of keeping a safe distance between yourself and wild animals, even if they encroach within a domestic space.

Raccoons, especially, have exhibited aggressive behavior toward humans and domesticated pets, and all of us at the High Desert Museum urge you to be cautious if you should find yourself in the presence of a wayward raccoon.

We'll keep you posted!