The Raccoon Mammals 
We once knew one that ranged over the house to suit 
his fancy, and he learned to open the door of every 
cupboard in the kitchen and pantry. He also opened 
boxes with perfect ease. Another was chained in the 
yard, and would lie curled up as if asleep, with one 
eye always slyly watching the food left from his 
breakfast. Soon some unwary hen would come up, 
stretch her neck cautiously until, reassured, she 
began the stolen feast. Then there was a scramble 
and a squawk, and before we could save her he would 
have wrung her neck and stripped off her feathers. 
HOUSE 
To really enjoy the pet raccoon, we should let him 
have the run of the house. He soon becomes very 
much at home, and never attempts to run away. 
A basket or a box can be put in a certain corner for 
his sleeping quarters. If he is not wanted in the 
house, a dog’s kennel, or a barrel or box may be given 
him for a home; to this he may be chained, and 
should have a nearby branch on which he can climb. 
The roomier the place the better for the raccoon, for 
he loves his freedom. An enclosure of chicken wire, 
with a shelter shed in one corner, and a tree or 
branches on which he can climb, is a most desirable 
coon cage. 
FOOD 
Water is so necessary to the raccoon’s happiness 
that is should be spoken of before food. He is 
particularly fond of pieces of raw meat which he will 
souse around in his drinking basin until it is pallid 
and flabby, and then he will eat it, using his paws like 
hands to aid his teeth in tearing it apart. He is fond 
of beetles, mice, rats, insects, fruit, corn, molasses, 
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