I have 3 Raccoons that hang out in my backyard. They mostly hang out in the canal directly behind my house. I want to feed them but I'm not sure what to do.Two babies & one that appears to be Mom. The babies are always together & the Mom is never far behind. They are very timid & run away if they see me walking their way. They are always hunger & looking for food.
2007-09-17 05:25:40 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
It is never a good idea to feed wild animals. This will only make them acclaimated to humans and will associate humans with a free meal. This may cause them to approach people unafraid and cause people to harm them or kill them thinking they are attacking or are rabid. Let them fend for themselves, even if this sounds cruel...this is really the best thing you can do for them. Let nature take it's course.
2007-09-17 13:29:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a very regrettable decision to feed raccoons. They are very intelligent animals and will tip trash cans, open doors and locks, and will get into anything that can have food in it. I have heard this scenario many times, and then the home owners have a problem with 20 raccoons in their back yard trying to get into their home. Raccoons are mean, so never approach one. Also, they carry diseases such as rabies. This is not an animal you want in your back yard. I suggest removing any containers form your back yard that may contain food(dog or bird), and put trash cans inside of a garage or shed.
2007-09-17 05:43:59 · answer #2 · answered by hockey4players 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being raised in the "country" my advice to you is NO do not feed them. They are hunters and they will hunt their food. Garbage cans and so forth for food. If you feed them the natural fear they have of man will decrease and they can become aggressive. And should one become "friendly" with you and at some point bite you, you could become seriously ill. How about you feed the brown bear down the road? Not a good idea either. They are "wild" animals for a reason.
2007-09-17 05:37:02 · answer #3 · answered by texas_angel_wattitude 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can put some food out (they like cat food a lot) but you don't need to get close to them. Raccoons are known to be aggressive especially if they have babies with them. They also carry many diseases such as rabies. Also, I wouldn't recommend feeding them too often because it makes them not afraid of people which will get them into trouble.
2007-09-17 05:32:47 · answer #4 · answered by Madison 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably not the best idea, because if you feed them and they become bolder and less afraid of people, they can easily become nuisances. Wild animals that run at the sight of people are wild animals that are less likely to be killed by people.
If you really feel the need to do something, scatter something down in the canal for them to forage. Don't do it close to the house. You don't want them thinking that humans are nothing to be afraid of.
2007-09-17 05:30:43 · answer #5 · answered by Nandina (Bunny Slipper Goddess) 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Only if you want them, their entire family, and a hundred of their closest friends in your yard. Word gets around fast with raccoons and opossums.
Don't worry, they are very good at finding food; don't feel sorry for them.
2007-09-17 10:52:18 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Raccoons look cute. But they are like the sirens in the Odessey of Homer. Tie yourself to the mast of your ship; do not feed them. They will multiply, grow in number and strength and they will overwelm you. Not only that, because they are nocturnal, they will do it at night.
2007-09-17 06:36:55 · answer #7 · answered by livemoreamply 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I suppose if you don't mind them hanging around your yard it would be fine to feed them
2007-09-17 05:36:10 · answer #8 · answered by Andria W 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they are hunting & it is normal for them to be hungry & looking for food. if you feed racoons they become very bold & will eventually attempt to get into your home....
2007-09-17 06:20:31 · answer #9 · answered by lauren s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah sure you can feed them anything you want if you want them to spread disease to your family, attack your pets, and live in your walls.
2007-09-17 05:32:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋