Complacent

[danlansdowne]

I think the local wildlife is getting too complacent. There's a raccoon on our back patio in broad daylight eating dry cat food we put out for the starlings. It got as close as five feet to the back door, which was wide open so my mother could take pictures. We're not sure it's a wild one, though--it could be someone's pet.

Comments

[meg-tdj.livejournal.com]

Aww, cuuuuuute! Me wants... :D

[panthras.livejournal.com]

It looks well fed that's for sure, as well as adorable ^^

that doesn't look like a pet...

[mammallamadevil.livejournal.com]

I recommend that you be careful about how you put the cat food....while those are great pictures, those suckers roam in packs around here, and are not anything you want to mess with or encourage.

MLD

Re: that doesn't look like a pet...

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

Oh, we know--we had three living in our roof last summer. They still visit, too.

We figured this one was a pet because it had zero fear of us--it was willing to poke its nose in the door, while the others ran scared when the door opened.

Re: that doesn't look like a pet...

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Eh, I've heard of wild raccoons not fearing humans before. Sometimes they're rabid, tho not so rabid that they attack on sight. Sometimes it might be the assurance provided by pack company.

[thefoxaroo.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness that is so beautiful! :D

Wild animals are always a source of heartache this way. They look adorable, but it's crucial that they be admired from afar. Too much attention and they lose their own survival skills.

He/she is gorgeous! Thanks for posting the photos. If you have any that include his (striped) tail I'd love to see them.

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

I think raccoons have adapted to an urban environment, like songbirds and squirrels. They've been here just as long as we have (it was farmland before), so they've learned how to survive among us.

We do what we can to help, though; we've got bird feeders, oriole and hummingbird feeders (they drink nectar), a pool that ducks have used, lots of bird houses, a pond that will be expanding pretty soon, and flowers that butterflies drink from. Plus several feeders that are lower to the ground for squirrels to use.