Raccoon

toc // Procyon lotor  // Order: Carnivora

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Notes on Enrichment & Training

 * These animals are very easy to enrich because of their curious nature and ability to manipulate many different types of containers and devices. Examples: digging areas or boxes, climbing structures (wood or PVC ladders, logs, rope and fire hose ladders,) tunnels, happics and hanging platforms, baskets/boxes, food puzzles, scent enrichment (cooking and baking spices & rubbings from other animals), and audio enrichment (playing music or animal sounds in the holding area).
 * This species is usually very motivated and wiling to train. Although I have found that they do better with fewer handlers (no more then 4 at most). They work best on a harness for over all body control when walking on a leash, but I have seen that they can be trained to do as many as 6 step independent behaviors (off leash) on a stage. These are animals that are considered to be rabies vectors (at least in CA) so all handlers should be rabies vaccinated even with captive breed raccoons.
 * It is very instinctual for this species to always reach out and use there hands.

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Potential Messaging
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 * In general, animals seen at the zoo do not make good pets. Most have specialized dietary, veterinary, housing, and social needs that are difficult or impossible for even dedicated pet owners to meet. Always ensure that your future pet has not been taken from the wild. Capture of wild animals for the pet trade has significantly damaged the survival prospects of species such as sloths, tamanduas, and many parrots. Captured animals are typically mistreated by profit-motivated traffickers and dealers, resulting in many animal deaths; well-meaning animal lovers may feel like they are rescuing animals by purchasing them but are really perpetuating the cruelty. In addition, many exotic pets are released by their owners when they become too dangerous or demanding, often with devastating effects on local ecosystems. Animals that should never be kept as pets include all bats, primates, and exotic carnivores. Birds, fish, and reptiles have specialized needs, are frequently wild-caught, and damage the local environment if released; guests should be advised to educate themselves and proceed with caution. Domestic dogs and cats are almost always the best option! Many deserving animals are available for adoption at animal shelters.

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=__Comments from the Rating System__=
 * CuriOdyssey: Easy to care for and and they have unlimited enrichment potential, clear messaging (habitat, native, food web, adaptations; Handlers must be experienced and many times they work best with only 1 to 2 handlers; depending on the age of the group you may get the WOW factor from kids.

=__Natural History Information__=

Threats and Conservation Status
=__Did you know…__=

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=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * Houston Zoo, Natural Encounters

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 * //Activity Schedule: diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular//
 * //Continent of Origin//
 * //Diet Requirements: carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, etc.//
 * //General Habitat/Biome: deserts, forests, mountains, etc.//