Uncommon Pets 239 
changes may be rung on meat of almost any kind, raw eggs, bread and milk, cooked 
rice, anything sweet, vegetables, fruit, roots, msects, mice, young birds, frogs, fish, ete. 
Being nocturnal animals they feed at night, or in captivity durimg the early evening, 
towards which time they get very lively and restless. When there are no other 
domestic pets kept, as, for imstance, cats, dogs or cage-birds, the raccoon may be 
allowed partial liberty; but if there are any birds about master ‘coon is pretty sure 
to have them sooner or later. The raccoon is not quite so bad in this respect as a 
Coati, for the ‘coon can be taught not to interfere with other pets, but the coati can 
never—at least, that is the writer's experience. As pets, raccoons are remarkably hardy 
creatures, in spite of one or two people stating they found them delicate, and seven 
years is not an unusual period of life in captivity; there must, however, be no 
pampering, as this in itself is prejudicial to the life of nearly all animals. Scientifically 
the raccoons form a connecting link between the bears and the weasles, being more 
closely allied to the former of the two families. Im common with the bears and 
weasels, raccoons when tamed are remarkably playful animals, and when in the humour 
for a game they throw off all their reserve 
and will play by the hour together with 
their owner or anyone with whom they i 
are familiar; but at the advent of any 
person with whom they are unacquainted, 
the natural reserve re-asserts itself, and 
they at once resume thei normal aspect 
of semi-quietude. Cleanliness is an im- 
perative factor in the management of 
these animals. The cage should have the 
floor covered with sawdust to the depth 
of half-an-inch, and a large ball of hay 
or straw be placed in one corner to retire 
into whenever necessary. The bedding 
and sawdust require to be changed every 
day, and the zine floor scrubbed over 
with hot water and carbolic soap at least 
once a week. If it can conveniently be 
arranged, a part of a large branch of a 
tree may be placed diagonally across the cage from the front bottom corner to 
the top back one for the use of the ‘coon, but it is not absolutely necessary, and may 
be dispensed with if it cannot easily be procured. Raccoons are sociable animals, and 
when in a state of nature are generally found in small bands, so that it is an 
advantage to keep a pai. ‘The writer once succeeded in breeding these animals some 
seven or eight years ago. ‘There were five young ones, and all were successfully reared. 
The dam showed herself to be very jealous, and would scarcely permit myself, even, to 
touch them, and exemplified her specific name of lotor—which, by the way, signifies 
“washer —by continually washing them, until at times they seemed quite exhausted. 
Teasing, either by the owner or by visitors, must be carefully guarded against, 
as nothing is more certalg..to sour the temper of this or any other animal. A 
frequently teased raccoon in avery short time gets most uncertain in temper, and 
would fly at any person at very slight provocation—a most undesirable habit in any 
kind of pet. 
ES ie 
A PET RACCOON. 
