I’m a Raccoon
I’m a cute little guy

They call me Rocky

I have distinguishing features

I am white, gray and black in color and I look like I’m wearing an El Zorro mask as I have a black stripe covering my face horizontally with white above my eyes and white around my black nose creating the illusion of a mask.



I also have paws that when outstretched make me a darling in photos.



Take as many as you like but be careful with flash photography.



I have sensitive eyes to the light.



I’m colorblind so I can’t distinguish colors.



Raccoons grow within a family where mother raccoon nurses her young kits to maturity.



Raccoons are social within the family structure and gather into small groups.



They can also be solitary.



Raccoons venture out from their den and their protective mother’s eye at around 12 weeks.



Raccoons are sly and cunning similar to the fox and very intelligent with strong memories and good problem solving skills.



Raccoons are also mischievous creatures that like to knock down trash cans for scraps of food and raid vegetable gardens causing havoc for the farmer.



They are survivalists but sadly their life expectancy in the wild is only 2 to 3 years because of predators, diseases, vehicle traffic and hunting among other reasons.



Raccoons living in captivity have much longer lifespans of up to 20 years if they are properly cared for and their needs are met.



Raccoons can be traced back 25 million years ago based on fossils excavated in Russia and Bulgaria.



Raccoons live in forests, mountainous areas, coastal marshes and urban areas and are adapted to survive though they’re threatened by the increasing dangers posed to them as they encroach further into urban areas and cities due to traffic.



They’re also hunted for their fur and because they are fast in the wild and pose a challenge to hunters.



Raccoons are mostly found in North America in Canada and the United States yet there have been introductions to other parts of the world in Europe and parts of Asia and other parts of the world.



Raccoons are portrayed in film and an animated movie that stars a raccoon is “Over the Hedge” featuring a sly raccoon, RJ and a sleepy bear, Vincent and a whole host of animals from a skunk to a squirrel. RJ tries to steal Vincent’s food as he hibernates for the winter when RJ can’t get the vending machine to release his selection and when he’s caught by the bear he promises he’ll replace his lost food within a week but now has to go find the replacement food and rely on a team of animals to help him in a neighborhood in an urban setting to search for their food source.



Raccoons are wonderful and beautiful creatures even downright cute but they are not domesticated so therefore they don’t make for pets but when you see them out and about you can’t help but fall for these furry little creatures with their adorable faces and paws. They are so cute.



If you see me milling about outside I pose no threat. Just let me do my thing and I’ll scurry away soon enough as I can run 15 miles per hour and be out of sight before you count to three.



I’m a raccoon.