4 ms·

I want to see an intelligence-optimized domesticated raccoon breed, like the raccoon equivalent of a border collie

aerostable_slug 11mo ago
Imagine trying to keep an animal like that out of food it's not supposed to have (to include fish tanks). The dang things would probably learn to pick locks with their cute little hands.
- BirAdam 11mo ago
  This is precisely why I think exceptionally smart animals should never be pets: octopus, corvids, raccoons…
  - PepperdineG 11mo ago
    Raccoons are also social animals so they like to maintain good relations. My mom is friends with wild raccoons and they never try and break in even though they know there is food inside. The raccoons try and open the sliding glass door but they don't become home invasion robbers if they don't find food outside and can't get in through the door. What's funny is that her cats like to watch the raccoons for entertainment and will touch paws on glass but if only a screen door separates them the cats get very upset and frighten the raccoons who just want to be friends. Their intelligence seems to help them get along, like there's one raccoon that my mom has named and it comes when called and can understand my mom through the Ring doorbell. It understands that it is her voice but not her presence so will wait like a dog that has taken obedience. The raccoon is disabled having only one eye, so it survives through intelligence like befriending my mom and is the friendliest of all the raccoons.
neom 11mo ago
Get a pet rat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV9z0c1hjnA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV9z0c1hjnA (I'll convince you all to get pet rats eventually!!! :))
- pixelpoet 11mo ago
  That's a pretty clever rat!
- IAmBroom 11mo ago
  Breed a rat with a furry tail, and you will overcome all resistance. That hairless tail is creepy - and I say that as an admirer of pet rats.
  - neom 11mo ago
    Funny thing is a rats tail is covered in hair and is very soft!!! (although they mostly hate their tails touched, very sensitive).
SideburnsOfDoom 11mo ago
Domestication often involves lower intelligence. Particularly for farm animals. Consider the statement above that tame raccoons need "TONS of engagement from their keepers because they get bored easily". Breeding that out means essentially a less curious, more complacent animal. Cows and sheep that easily figure out how to escape their paddocks are a liability. Which category do you think is more clever: Wolf and coyote; or pug and chihuahua? dog breeds considered "clever" often more closely resemble their wild ancestors. And they are often not "easy" breeds to own.

Imagine trying to keep an animal like that out of food it's not supposed to have (to include fish tanks). The dang things would probably learn to pick locks with their cute little hands.

BirAdam 11mo ago
This is precisely why I think exceptionally smart animals should never be pets: octopus, corvids, raccoons…
- PepperdineG 11mo ago
  Raccoons are also social animals so they like to maintain good relations. My mom is friends with wild raccoons and they never try and break in even though they know there is food inside. The raccoons try and open the sliding glass door but they don't become home invasion robbers if they don't find food outside and can't get in through the door. What's funny is that her cats like to watch the raccoons for entertainment and will touch paws on glass but if only a screen door separates them the cats get very upset and frighten the raccoons who just want to be friends. Their intelligence seems to help them get along, like there's one raccoon that my mom has named and it comes when called and can understand my mom through the Ring doorbell. It understands that it is her voice but not her presence so will wait like a dog that has taken obedience. The raccoon is disabled having only one eye, so it survives through intelligence like befriending my mom and is the friendliest of all the raccoons.

neom 11mo ago

Get a pet rat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV9z0c1hjnA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV9z0c1hjnA (I'll convince you all to get pet rats eventually!!! :))

pixelpoet 11mo ago
That's a pretty clever rat!
IAmBroom 11mo ago
Breed a rat with a furry tail, and you will overcome all resistance. That hairless tail is creepy - and I say that as an admirer of pet rats.
- neom 11mo ago
  Funny thing is a rats tail is covered in hair and is very soft!!! (although they mostly hate their tails touched, very sensitive).

SideburnsOfDoom 11mo ago

Domestication often involves lower intelligence. Particularly for farm animals. Consider the statement above that tame raccoons need "TONS of engagement from their keepers because they get bored easily". Breeding that out means essentially a less curious, more complacent animal. Cows and sheep that easily figure out how to escape their paddocks are a liability. Which category do you think is more clever: Wolf and coyote; or pug and chihuahua? dog breeds considered "clever" often more closely resemble their wild ancestors. And they are often not "easy" breeds to own.