Feature Article August 7, 2002
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeContact Us
An
Intruder 
Earlier this year I discovered a resident in my garage.
Having found its way in via an open end to the soffits, it had
decided this was good place to nest.
It discovered a full box of Kim-Wipes, and other interesting
bedding, and having made a comfortable depression in some insulation,
it lined it with shredded Kim-Wipes, and settled into its new home.
What was it? - a half-grown Raccoon. Needless to say I was not impressed with this unwelcome guest, and it was not impressed each time the car went in or out and it had to leave its cozy bed to climb to a retreat in the soffits. How was I to get rid of this creature? I tried leaving the garage door open about a foot, and leaving food outside. Thanks and the coon soon carried the food inside and had a feast. Even tearing apart its bed did not deter it - it simply stayed up in the rafters. Finally one day while it was away doing coon things, my son-in-law covered the open ends of the soffits, and so ended its visit.Humans have given Raccoons increased access to food (they love to raid garbage cans or bird feeders), less danger from predators (having reduced or eliminated wolves and other predators), and access to good homes (my garage!, abandoned farm buildings, accessible attics or chimneys). Then there are those humans who think they are cute and deliberately feed them - and encourage their visits. A coon can make an interesting pet if caught young, but beware - an older coon can become crotchety. I once knew a gentleman who had a pet coon, and usually when he took it for a drive he would stop at a certain shop and buy it an ice cream cone. The coon soon learned to expect it and if the vehicle did not stop, it would start to tear up the car!
The Raccoon prepares for winter by growing a thick coat. During the winter the Raccoon often sleeps but does not hibernate. It wakes up and will go out to eat on warmer days. The female has four to six babies in a hollow tree or log, or in an empty burrow that some other animal has left behind. Babies are born in May or June. They are grayish brown when born. In a few weeks their black masks and rings of their tails appear. In three weeks their eyes are open. At first the mother leaves the babies in the den at night while she goes out to find food. In two months the young can leave the den and search for food with their mother. The young raccoons usually stay with their mother for the first winter. With the threat of Raccoon Rabies now in this area, it would be wise not to encourage these intelligent, cute animals by feeding them. It is now against regulations to trap and release them in other areas. If you do see what appears to be a sick animal, call the Ministry of Natural Resources. Meanwhile, the coons are most certainly anticipating a good crop of corn!Observations: Two interesting observations at my place last Sunday: I heard a peep - peep and discovered a tiny duckling on my driveway. There was no sign of an adult or other ducklings, and last I saw of it, it was running up the road still peeping pitifully. The other interesting observation was a brief visit from an uncommon Carolina Wren - singing in the trees behind my house. It stayed around for a day, but I did not see it come to the bird feeder.
Phone me at 268-2518 with your observations
