3 ms·

Raccoons are actually friendly and can be had as pets in many states.

steve_adams_86 4y ago
The raccoons that visit my yard are pretty cool with me being around and I can watch them from fairly close. I don’t think they’d be anything like pets but I like seeing them around. They’re curious about me, and as long as I don’t stare or move too quickly, they just dig in my garden (they mostly seem to eat these large beetle grubs) and wrestle each other. I wouldn’t interact with them, but I’m glad they aren’t afraid of me anymore. Years ago I accidentally cornered one in my shop and it let out the most terrifying guttural noise I’ve ever heard from such a small body. These days I have a feeling they would be uncomfortable but not in attack mode. I was about 5 feet from one while putting trash in my bin a few weeks back and it just watched me from around the corner of my shed. When I moved here, I either wouldn’t have been given the chance to see it there or it would have scrambled up a tree. Overall I think they’re pretty laid back animals, but we tend to scare the hell out of them. Watching the babies wrestle in the grass is a real joy. It’s also incredible fascinating to watch they way their hands work. They aren’t as dexterous as us, or perhaps I should say not as generally so, but they have a kind of dexterity that is almost entrancing at times. There is a lot of spatial awareness and capability in their movements. As long as they aren’t in my house, shed, or shop, then whatever. I’m happy to share some space. But yeah, definitely not pet material for me.
- NoRagrets 4y ago
  Indeed. I hear you. They are still wild animals. I have seen a couple of people have them as pets..fixed them and vaccinated etc. it seems a tad cruel to want to domesticate a wild animal.
  - steve_adams_86 4y ago
    I think so. I wonder if they essentially go crazy being cooped up. Dogs and cats are generally accustomed to it, but even they can become extremely depressed. Come to think of it, I get depressed from being indoors too much.
eru 4y ago
Same with rats..

The raccoons that visit my yard are pretty cool with me being around and I can watch them from fairly close. I don’t think they’d be anything like pets but I like seeing them around. They’re curious about me, and as long as I don’t stare or move too quickly, they just dig in my garden (they mostly seem to eat these large beetle grubs) and wrestle each other. I wouldn’t interact with them, but I’m glad they aren’t afraid of me anymore. Years ago I accidentally cornered one in my shop and it let out the most terrifying guttural noise I’ve ever heard from such a small body. These days I have a feeling they would be uncomfortable but not in attack mode. I was about 5 feet from one while putting trash in my bin a few weeks back and it just watched me from around the corner of my shed. When I moved here, I either wouldn’t have been given the chance to see it there or it would have scrambled up a tree. Overall I think they’re pretty laid back animals, but we tend to scare the hell out of them. Watching the babies wrestle in the grass is a real joy. It’s also incredible fascinating to watch they way their hands work. They aren’t as dexterous as us, or perhaps I should say not as generally so, but they have a kind of dexterity that is almost entrancing at times. There is a lot of spatial awareness and capability in their movements. As long as they aren’t in my house, shed, or shop, then whatever. I’m happy to share some space. But yeah, definitely not pet material for me.

NoRagrets 4y ago
Indeed. I hear you. They are still wild animals. I have seen a couple of people have them as pets..fixed them and vaccinated etc. it seems a tad cruel to want to domesticate a wild animal.
- steve_adams_86 4y ago
  I think so. I wonder if they essentially go crazy being cooped up. Dogs and cats are generally accustomed to it, but even they can become extremely depressed. Come to think of it, I get depressed from being indoors too much.

eru 4y ago

Same with rats..