2006-11-29 19:14:25 · 13 answers · asked by flavorlicious 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I used to feed a whole family of coons in West Virginia. They need a water bowl to "wash the food" but they were great to watch. I loved the playtime when they brought the babies!! they would eat off my back porch. And as long as there is food you should be fine. Yes keep an eye out for "sickly" looking ones. You will know if it has rabies. They LOOK sick. thats when it needs to be trapped and put down, but if they look healthy then I say go for it. If you go on vacation then make sure someone puts food out because they will look for food and they will find a way inside and they can reek(sp?) havoc....smile... but humans are taking over the world and if you help them out by feeding them GOOD FOR YOU!!!! if they are in a populated area its because they have nowhere else to go and probably their food supply went with it when the buildings came up... So I say: Good Job for thinking about them and not worring about what others think... they need nutrition as much as we do!!! keep up the good work!!! smile
2006-11-30 00:57:21 · answer #1 · answered by marnibrown1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't bring raccoons around and feed them. They do tend to carry rabies in some parts of the country, like Connecticut and eastern New York. You may be in a place without these health problems. Raccoons can get pushy and aggressive. They are also extremely clever about breaking in to buildings. I met a man who had just figured out that the meat from his freezer, which was in his garage, was being taken by raccoons. The critters had to stand up and pull a lever to open the door. They do tend to get over familiar and cause problems.
They are so cute and smart. They also have
very sharp teeth and through themselves into fighting like demons. I have a great deal of respect for raccoons.
2006-11-29 19:25:22 · answer #2 · answered by Susan M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, my large grandmother has been feeding Raccoons for over 2 an prolonged time, many generations of Raccoons have grown to be attentive to that there is nutrition there avalible 24 hours an afternoon and that she poses no threat, yet no longer one in all them might ever tolerate being petted if we drained. they're nonetheless wild animals no count number what you do. She even awoke to a bunch of infant raccoons sleeping on her deck, they stayed there all day enjoying, sleeping, and eatting yet while she have been given interior 10 ft of them they ran. She became into extremly worrying that they have been abanded there, she did no longer desire to could preserve 1. however the ma got here returned that night, at then all of them left. the only wild animals she ever took in a saved as a puppy have been skunks, they on no account sprayed.
2016-12-10 18:56:54 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not really a good idea to feed wild animals of any kind. remember they are Wild animals and have different instincts. There is the potential for any animal to attack if they feel threatened and with wild animals you are never sure what could cause them to feel threatened. The other reason is once you start feeding them they become reliant on you for food. If you should not be available to feed them they may not have the resources available to find natural food and may starve. Not a good way to go. They will become habituated to humans and loose their fear. they may move on to other people for food and become a problem and end up being trapped, poisoned or shot. It is best that you slowly stop feeding them and leave them alone. Rabies is also a big concern. Even if you were to find a young abandoned animal it is best to turn them over to folks who understand their behavior. Racoons are extremely intelligent, and curious. They also can grow to be quite big. I have had racoons attack my cats and small dogs.
I know they are cute, but ........
2006-11-29 20:04:32 · answer #4 · answered by wheel 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they will not usually be aggressive if you don't pose a threat to them..However, a very high percentage of raccoons are carrying rabies, so I would be very cautious.. In California, it is nearly 30% !!!
For example, in 2001, 7,437 cases of rabies were reported in the United States. Raccoons accounted for almost 40% of reported cases.<< http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Epidemiology/Epidemiology.htm
2006-11-29 20:09:05 · answer #5 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you can train them they're wild. They may not turn on you but I wouldn't get too close anyway. I hope you feed them at night right? (Some people don't know not to go near them during the day)
2006-11-29 19:16:57 · answer #6 · answered by uknowme 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you get bit or scratched by any of these go to the doctor right away. Rabies can be transmitted with the tiniest break in the skin.
2006-11-29 20:17:48 · answer #7 · answered by Mad Maxine 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure they're sweet (and really cute) but raccoons are HUGE carriers of rabies. So don't get too close.
2006-11-29 19:21:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If they were born in the wild DO NOT TRUST them! Geez, it is like any living, breathing thing on this Earth, do not trust it! It can always bite!!
2006-11-29 19:17:46 · answer #9 · answered by rhonda_seiler 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not as long as you keep the food coming.
2006-11-29 19:16:21 · answer #10 · answered by tumbleweed1954 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋