RANGE | Raccoons are native throughout the Americas, but have been introduced to parts of Asia, the former Soviet Union, and Europe, with the largest population in Germany.

FUN FACTS | Raccoons are prime examples of urban wildlife. They can certainly live in a wide variety of habitats but have adapted to survive and thrive among humans in cities and towns where food is more easily available and large predators are minimal. Their dark mask reduces glare—like eye-black worn by athletes—and also hides their eyes so other animals cannot easily blind them in a fight. They are amazing problem-solvers and their jaws can exert more than 8000 pounds psi so they can actually crush diamonds. These nocturnal omnivores can hunt but mainly scavenge, playing a critical role in helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem that is free of carrion which spread germs and bacteria to healthy animals and humans. They can and will eat a wide variety of foods but quickly develop a taste for sweet and salty items. While they have a strong sense of smell and taste, their sense of touch is uniquely powerful. Almost ⅔ of the sensory part of their brain is for interpreting tactile information. Their paws are covered with specialized hairs so they can identify items with their paws. This covering becomes even more pliable when wet so will use their eyes to watch for predators and competitors while relying on their paws to search for, and select, food items.

In late August 2015, a mother raccoon in Florida gave birth to six babies in the back of a semi-truck. Unaware of this, the truck driver began a cross-country journey with a truck that was fully loaded, babies and all. When he arrived in CA, the baby raccoons were discovered and brought to a wildlife rehab center. One did not survive the trip, but after months of intensive treatment for severe dehydration and malnourishment, the others began to recover. Just as they were starting to become strong and healthy, the wildlife center learned that because these raccoons had come from an eastern state, they could not be released, and placement could not happen until after a 90-day quarantine. They were eventually transferred to a zoo hospital, and Calusa and Huck were brought to WildMind when they were nearly nine months old. We knew that since they had never been collared or traveled, they could not be education ambassadors, but we also knew that rescuing them was the right thing to do.

These two love to snuggle with each other and play. They are always curious, immediately interested in any new enrichment game and finding new ways to enjoy toys they already have. If the item can go into their pool and become a water toy, it is even more fun! These siblings are intensely bonded and dependent on each other. After losing their mom and being separated from their other siblings, they really need each other.

All toys must be waterproof because they will, inevitably, end up in their pool. One of their favorite toys is the hose—they simply love the spray of gently moving water. They love toys that have multiple shapes—beads, blocks or similar items—that move, so toddler toys are always enjoyed. When they first came to us, their favorite toy was an abacus. They loved moving the wooden beads from side to side. Sadly, since it was wood, it just couldn’t survive the many dips in the pool. They love forts and hanging platforms—we often find them sleeping together in an upside down dogloo that is suspended in their enclosure, swinging as they play in it. This pair enjoys stuffed animals but they need to be heav-duty to withstand these two. Puzzle feeders and play structures intrigue this duo, providing new textures and challenges.