Classic mystery novels usually open with a set of unexplained occurrences that pique the curiosity of the protagonist. The clues frequently, but not always, lead to a malicious event that leaves only the disconnected evidence available for identifying the perpetrator.
Add unidentifiable noises at night while the alleged offender is on the prowl, and the suspicions and anxieties are ratcheted up. Was it or was it not the nocturnal malefactor that made the strange sounds under the moonless sky?
In the light of the morning sun, there are only tracks on the ground. If they are located in firm soil, then the uncertainty may be brief.
Tracks in the sand are often the only evidence of a nighttime visit by a raccoon. If there is even a hint of food in the area, this nocturnal forager will spare no effort to locate and consume it.
Raccoons, the native masked marauders of wildlands and suburbia, are spending the dark hours aggressively in search of nutrition to sustain themselves through the winter months. These omnivorous mammals are not picky about their meals, so human habitation, with all its waste, is especially attractive.
Garbage cans, with all the leftover delicacies appealing to raccoons, are usually the site of their destructive activity. Their extraordinarily dexterous front paws, with no webbing between the fingers, make opening the wastebaskets and accessing these culinary prizes quite easy.
Once the can is open, the nocturnal raider will scatter the contents with wild abandon while sampling interesting items. With acrobatic aplomb, the trashcan is frequently laid over so the raccoon can easily tunnel to its objective.
Those nimble paws are tipped with non-retractable claws and give the raccoon both an offensive and defensive capability. Its carnivore type teeth can inflict severe bites, too.
If easy picking in a trashcan is unavailable, poultry flocks will do. Chickens, geese, guinea hens or any other domestic birds do not stand a chance against a rapacious raccoon.
If cornered by a dog, the offensive tools are applied to great effect in defending against an aggressive canine. Only the largest and brawniest breeds will prevail against a raccoon in a brawl to the death.
If given the chance, raccoons will quickly shimmy up trees and out of danger with ease. They will ascend with a distinctive scrapping noise and may remain aloft for hours while the danger dissipates.
Descents are awkward and often clumsily executed. Sometimes the raccoon will fall to the ground with a thud, but it is almost always able to amble off to foraging once again.
In the quiet of late winter, their chattering vocalizations can be heard in the nighttime. The high-pitched staccato calls may be territorial declarations or entreaties to a potential mate. The short, shrill outbursts have an otherworldly quality.
Raccoons are a particular problem to beekeepers. Often referred to as “ring-tailed rats” by beekeepers, they will plunder beehives in search of honeybee larva (but not honey).
Their thick fur protects them from the worker bees which attempt to repulse the raccoon with their stingers. In the wild, invertebrates (insects and worms) are estimated as a major proportion of this animal’s diet.
Other culprits, roaming dogs or even bears, may be responsible for trashcan travesties, but odds are it is the local raccoon committing the midnight mayhem. If only they would pick up after themselves.
Leave a Reply