Baby Raccoons

It’s been a bumper year for young animals. I found these two young Raccoons scrounging for food beneath the bird feeder. They don’t seem bothered by my close proximity.

Raccoon pelt coloration can vary greatly. The individual in the foreground displays the typical coloration of a wild Raccoon. Except for some facial markings, the other has a completely black pelt.

Uncommon coloration often gives rise to stories of strange animal sightings. A glance at this black individual wouldn’t automatically suggest a Raccoon. Raccoons have a rather close relationship to bears and the black Raccoon looked a lot like a bear cub as it moved about.

Both use the same technique to pick up bits of cracked corn. The corn is trapped between the front paws and then lifted to the mouth. Their small paws seemed better able to accomplish this feat than the larger paws of an adult Raccoon.

Here is the classic stretch your legs to the limit and arch your back defensive posture. A mature Raccoon would actually expose some teeth and show a menacing face as part of the attempt to scare away a threat. This baby has a look that makes you think he wants to be petted.

A Camera Critters submission.