The Raccoon 



George B. Happ 

 Port Jervis, N. Y. 



In a fluffy brownish gray coat, the raccoon looks much like a 

 large, plump cat. However, when facing it, its dark splotched 

 face, and when turned, its dark ringed tail aid to tell its identity. 



The rather coarse fur of the back, tinged with yellow, the long 

 hairs black tipped, the lighter gray below with long hairs white 

 tipped, and a medium long bvishy tail with six or seven bands of 

 dark brown or black alternating with grayish or yellowish white to 

 curl about for extra warmth, serve to keep him snug and warm 

 through the winter as well as covered with a handsome coat 

 through the rest of the seasons. 



The black on both cheeks and aroimd the eyes joining a black 

 streak from the forehead to the nose, all against a grayish white 

 background, the black pointed nose, dark eyes, and erect ears, 

 lower back black and whitish above, express sometimes droll play- 

 fulness, at other times alert watchfulness. The raccoon is deter- 

 mined and courageous if necessary, however he is also ready for a 

 frolic as those who have had him as a pet have found, where his 

 intelligence and liv^ely interest have made him a general favorite. 

 His five-toed fore and hind feet, the fore feet short and rounded, the 

 hind feet longer, are constantly active, examining everything 

 within reach; with them the raccoon is dextrous and nimble as a 

 monkey. The palms of the feet are very sensitive and aid in dis- 

 tinguishing objects. 



The raccoon lives along the wooded shores of streams and lakes. 

 Here its habit of carefully washing and rewashing every morsel 

 before eating is very interesting ; this is signified by its scientific 

 name "lotor" or washer; the coon may be seen backed against a 

 log or tree trunk, the food grasped in the hind feet while bits are 

 brought to the mouth with the fore paws. It swims readily if 

 forced to, but usually does not venture farther than the water's edge. 

 Here in the shallow bottom and beneath stones, it finds fresh 

 water mussels, cra\-fish, frogs, and sometimes fish. In August the 

 luscious ears of ripening com lead coons to the com fields. Their 

 troublesome habit of injiuing more than they use has caused them 

 to be regarded as harmful by the farmer at this season. It is now 

 that the "wicker" of the raccoon is heard on still nights; a long 



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