When you visit a zoo and come across a raccoon, the first thing that will catch your eye is its undeniably adorable face.
Its head has a slightly triangular shape, resembling a fox with a thin and elongated muzzle.
The fur on the lower part of its face is white, and it sports long whiskers that surround its mouth.
A black nose sits at the center, and striking "eight"-shaped black stripes run from its eyes down, giving it the appearance of wearing a delicate mask.
Interestingly, in some Native American languages, raccoons are referred to as "weekah tegalega," which translates to "magic animal with a painted face."
In their natural habitat, raccoons inhabit wooded areas found at lower altitudes close to rivers, streams, and lakes.
When foraging for food, raccoons exhibit impressive climbing skills, capable of rotating 180 degrees on their hind legs and descending tree trunks headfirst. In captivity, they display the same climbing behavior on structures provided by humans.
Raccoons are also proficient swimmers and can move forward in rivers and streams while paddling with all four of their limbs.
During exceptionally cold and snowy periods, raccoons tend to sleep for extended periods, curling their thick tails around their snouts and muzzles. Nevertheless, unlike bears, raccoons refrain from hibernation.
Known for their omnivorous diet, raccoons have a reputation for consuming a wide variety of foods.
Their menu includes aquatic items like crayfish and clams, a range of fresh and dried fruits such as apples, cherries, pecans, and acorns, as well as eggs and meat-based fare like mice, frogs, fish, insects, turtles, and even snakes.
Notably, they have a special fondness for honey.
One of the most recognizable behaviors of raccoons is their tendency to "wash" their food before eating it.
This quirk involves rubbing their food in water, often interpreted as an expression of unease.
For instance, when catching fish, raccoons often wash them in the water, nibble on them, and then firmly grasp the fish with their dexterous claws to remove scales before consuming the meat.
The precise eating routine of washing and consuming is consistently observed.
This behavior has been subject to humorous experiments, such as offering raccoons a marshmallow to witness their baffled expressions when it dissolves in water.
Surprisingly, raccoons also engage in a form of "water play" while eating, even when water isn't present.
They mimic playing with water by beating their food in a water-like fashion, even if the food is dirty.
This intriguing behavior has sparked several theories as to its purpose.
One novel idea proposes that raccoons' "hands" have a similar nerve-ending arrangement to human hands, although lacking the ridges that form fingerprints.
Wetting their "hands" could stimulate their nerve endings, enhancing their flexibility and sensitivity. This could help them better assess the size and texture of food, enabling them to locate hidden delicacies with ease.
In essence, raccoons' behaviors encompass a fascinating blend of instinct, adaptation, and unique preferences that continue to captivate observers and researchers alike.
