| Raccoons/Opossums |
| Raccoons |
| Opossums |
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Often described as a ‘masked bandit’ because of their
unique facial coloring, a ‘mask’ around the eye area, the
raccoon is also rightly called a bandit because of his
thievery. A nocturnal animal, he can often be found
raiding refuse areas at night. The paws of a raccoon
can maneuver and open almost anything offered. Rocks
seemingly too large for an animal of his size are moved,
garage doors and windows are his for the opening, and
garbage can lids are not even a deterrent. The raccoon
is also a climber, runner, swimmer, and acrobat.
The diet of a raccoon is often determined by what is
available. Fish, crayfish, mice, frogs, birds, eggs, and
honey are all part of a raccoon’s ‘natural’ diet. Because
raccoons live where people do, and vice versa, they will
eat whatever we leave behind too. Garbage cans are a
big attractant for these animals, and nearly anything that
was once on our plates, will be eaten by a scavenging
raccoon, including breads, meats, vegetables, sweets,
even items such as soda.
unique facial coloring, a ‘mask’ around the eye area, the
raccoon is also rightly called a bandit because of his
thievery. A nocturnal animal, he can often be found
raiding refuse areas at night. The paws of a raccoon
can maneuver and open almost anything offered. Rocks
seemingly too large for an animal of his size are moved,
garage doors and windows are his for the opening, and
garbage can lids are not even a deterrent. The raccoon
is also a climber, runner, swimmer, and acrobat.
The diet of a raccoon is often determined by what is
available. Fish, crayfish, mice, frogs, birds, eggs, and
honey are all part of a raccoon’s ‘natural’ diet. Because
raccoons live where people do, and vice versa, they will
eat whatever we leave behind too. Garbage cans are a
big attractant for these animals, and nearly anything that
was once on our plates, will be eaten by a scavenging
raccoon, including breads, meats, vegetables, sweets,
even items such as soda.
The opossum will nest in hollows of trees or in burrows
of other animals, under brush piles, under houses or
decks, in garages, sheds, or attics, as long as it is a
dark, cool and quiet place where the opossum can sleep
during the day.
They are scavenger, and will eat almost anything; diet
varies by season. In the winter their diet is increased to
increase body bulk. Opossums at the Zoo remain
outdoors during the winter. They burrow under piles of
leaves and wood chips to stay warm. Opossums gain
weight at the base of their tail and in the whites of their
eyes. If an opossum is overweight, its eyes will appear
crossed, because the excess whites have pushed the
eyes sideways. Also, overweight opossums may have a
very thick tail.
of other animals, under brush piles, under houses or
decks, in garages, sheds, or attics, as long as it is a
dark, cool and quiet place where the opossum can sleep
during the day.
They are scavenger, and will eat almost anything; diet
varies by season. In the winter their diet is increased to
increase body bulk. Opossums at the Zoo remain
outdoors during the winter. They burrow under piles of
leaves and wood chips to stay warm. Opossums gain
weight at the base of their tail and in the whites of their
eyes. If an opossum is overweight, its eyes will appear
crossed, because the excess whites have pushed the
eyes sideways. Also, overweight opossums may have a
very thick tail.
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