Term
| Where are raccoons found? |
|
Definition
woodlands; farms; suburban neighborhoods
always near water |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Is a raccoon a plantigrade?
What is a plantigrade? |
|
Definition
| Yes, a raccoon is a plantigrade; this means they can walk partly or wholly on the soles of their feet with the heel touching the ground |
|
|
Term
| Can raccoons stand on their hind legs? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Are raccoons fast runners? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What happens when raccoons are confronted? |
|
Definition
| they put up a fierce fight; especially females with young |
|
|
Term
| How strong of a swimmer are raccoons? |
|
Definition
| very; so strong they have drowned dogs in the water |
|
|
Term
| What noises do raccoons make? |
|
Definition
| barks, hisses, wails; piercing scream when alarmed |
|
|
Term
| Describe a raccoon's senses. |
|
Definition
| Raccoons can see, hear and smell very well; acute sense of touch, allowing them to catch fish and other small quick prey; long sharp claws help them grasp slippery prey |
|
|
Term
| Why do raccoons seem to "wash" their food? |
|
Definition
| No one knows; maybe to decide if they will keep the prey they just grabbed |
|
|
Term
| What do raccoons need to live comfortably? |
|
Definition
| they prefer woodlands that offer plenty of den sites; hardwoods are favored over coniferous forests because of the fruits and nuts from trees; they also need the cavities and hollow limbs for shelters |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Water is essential for them for hunting opportunities; crayfish, minnows, aquatic insects |
|
|
Term
| Are raccoons carnivores, or omnivores? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What do raccoons eat that are not caught in water? |
|
Definition
| wild cherries and grapes; berries; persimmons; apples; beechnuts; corn; acorns; melons; grass; leaves; worms; crickets; grasshoppers; beetle grubs; frogs;mice; carrion; eggs. They also raid fields, gardens and trash |
|
|
Term
| Why is variety in habitat important? |
|
Definition
| Trees of different types and ages and low brush and grassy openings provide food throughout the year |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| management plans that improve habitat for other animals like turkeys, squirrels, and deer; and beaver dams that provide habitat for aquatic creatures raccoons like to eat |
|
|
Term
| What type of species are raccoons? |
|
Definition
| common, found state-wide in PA |
|
|
Term
| Where do raccoons spend the day? |
|
Definition
| holed up in a tree cavity; sunning while stretched out on horizontal limbs |
|
|
Term
| What do raccoons do during the night? |
|
Definition
| begin hunting on the ground, or eat eggs or hatchlings |
|
|
Term
| Describe the feeding range/dens. |
|
Definition
| One main den with others scattered around the feeding range which is one mile in diameter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| hollow in a large tree trunk or limb is ideal; but raccoons will also use old groundhog burrows, caves, rock crevices or abandoned farm buildings |
|
|
Term
| Are raccoons true hibernators? |
|
Definition
| No; they den up and sleep through much of the winter when air temperature falls below 25* |
|
|
Term
| How do raccoons survive the winter? |
|
Definition
| They eat so much during the summer and fall they can sustain themselves; they wake and search for food during the warm spells |
|
|
Term
| Why is hunting so important in the spring? |
|
Definition
| Much of a raccoon's body fat is gone; raccoons are thinner |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
~Born in March and April
~litter of 3-5
~Cubs weigh about 3 ounces at birth
~Covered with yellow-gray hair and tails faintly banded
~eyes open after 19 days |
|
|
Term
| When do young raccoons accompany females on feeding forays? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| When can raccoons be on their own? |
|
Definition
| three to four months old, cubs are large and independent enough to be on their own |
|
|
Term
| Do male raccoons help raise the young? |
|
Definition
| Sometimes, but they leave once young are mature |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a serious disease that attacks the nervous system; caused by a virus |
|
|
Term
| What type of animal can get rabies? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Do birds, snakes and fish get rabies? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| through saliva, usually through a bite; blood does not spread rabies |
|
|
Term
| How do you know if an animal has rabies? |
|
Definition
| they act differently; wild animals move slowly and act tame; tame animals may try to bite; general illness; problems swallowing; drooling |
|
|
Term
| What should you do if you are bitten? |
|
Definition
| rabies can be prevented by immediate cleansing of the wound and getting a series of rabies shots in your arm; see a doctor right away |
|
|
Term
| What is the best way to avoid rabies? |
|
Definition
| avoid contact with wild animals; vaccinate pets and livestock; get rid any pet dishes outside |
|
|
Term
| Why should you get rid of outside pet dishes? |
|
Definition
| raccoons may think of pet food as a food source and this puts them in close contact with people and pets; this eliminates their fear of people, which is dangerous should they become rabid. |
|
|
