86 WALTER S. HUNTER 



two months of the winter. Davis found that all of his raccoons 

 hibernated during the first winter when they were kept out 

 doors. But during the second winter when they were kept 

 within doors, although unsupplied with artificial heat, they did 

 not hibernate. How he regulated the food supply at this period, 

 and whether the animals became sluggish, he does not state. 

 Further observations should be put on record before the con- 

 clusion is reached that the raccoon will change so fundamental 

 an instinct upon so slight a change of habitat. Both Mr. DeVry 

 and Dr. Hornaday inform me that their raccoons do not hiber- 

 nate in the winter, although the living quarters are no warmer 

 than outdoors. In addition. Dr. Hornaday replies as follows in 

 answer to the question of how to prevent hibernation: "By 

 constant feeding. Bears and raccoons hibernate because they 

 cannot find food in the deep snow. Our bears never hibernate 

 because they are constantly fed." I, too, fed my animals regu- 

 larly, although sparingly, in the fall, yet indications of a desire 

 to hibernate were observed. The subject of hibernation is 

 very poorly understood at the present time, even among the 

 biologists proper. 



Both of the authorities above quoted inform me that raccoons 

 reach maturity at three years of age. I note this fact because 

 Cole's statement that "The year-old raccoons apparently are 

 not quite full grown "^* may be as misleading to some as it 

 was to me. 



Two other observations may be noted in passing: (i) The 

 raccoon appears to have a very acute vision. I have seen sev- 

 eral individuals chase flies that were crawling upon the floor 

 of the experimental room whose illumination was extremely low. 

 (2) The price of keeping tame raccoons is eternal vigilance. In 

 the spring when the "wanderlust" strikes them, they will gnaw 

 wood and tear wire, — anything to escape. And the usual reward 

 for attempting to catch a loose raccoon is a severe bite. 



^•i Op. cit., p. 213. 



