Raccoons are not really wild animals. They are urban animals.
Raccoons are FAR more common in cities and suburbs than they are
in undeveloped natural areas. Just like rats. Thus,
raccoon-human encounters are very common. Raccoons are smart,
curious, and agile, and they are reproducing quickly in many
cities, leading to raccoon infestations in several areas.
I got this email from a reader, along with this photograph:
Hi there so I have a racoon that is spending it's days on my
back deck he lays in a chair and sleeps all day. I can go out
and sit very close to him and have a cigarette and he really
dose not seem to care. If I try hard I can scare him off but
he will not run away very quickly and he is not scared . He is
very healthy and really dose not show any signs that he is
sick but he refuses to leave ? Any ideas do you think he may
be sick ?
I responded with:
It seems to me that raccoons are basically becoming
domesticated, like the way wolves became dogs. But I can't
comment on the health or safety of this particular animal.
Read more articles about raccoons I wrote:
How Do You Remove
a Raccoon Stuck in a Dumpster?
How to Keep
Raccoons Out From Under a Shed or Porch
How to Keep Raccoons
Out of My Garden
How to Keep
Raccoons Out of My Garbage Cans
Do More Raccoons Live in Urban Areas, or Wild Areas?
What Do Wildlife Rehabilitators Do with Raccoons?
Wildlife Education - Information About Domestication of Raccoons