Traits of the Raccoon

This is Leopold the Great. He is the antagonist in my book the Gauntlet of Power, Resurrection. Leopold is based off of the raccoon. Below are some traits of raccoons you may find interesting. Also, check out the video at the end and share your thoughts. 

Raccoons are curious, resourceful, uniquely intelligent problem solvers. Give raccoons a puzzle and, as long as there's food involved, they'll usually find a way to solve it. 

They are some of the most adaptable mammals in the United States. Raccoons can occupy both rural and urban areas as well as live in different types of climates. They're also known to thrive in suburban environments as well. City dwellers may notice urban raccoons reach special levels of cunning. This may be because urban raccoons are forced to outsmart human-made obstacles on a regular basis. Scientists have found through experimentation that urban raccoons have learned to avoid major intersections as well as solve unconventional problems. A good example of an unconventional problem is how some raccoons have successfully learned to open the lids of trash cans.

Raccoons also have excellent night vision and an acute sense of hearing. They "see" with their hands. While most animals use either sight, sound, or smell to hunt, raccoons rely on their sense of touch to locate items of interest. By nature, raccoons are not social creatures. During the day, they sleep in dens in trees. During cold winter periods, they may sleep for an extended period, but do not hibernate.

Additionally, raccoons are great swimmers. Their nimble fingers are used to feel through the bottoms of streams for food, where it's further cleaned. They also use their agile fingers to climb trees and open containers. On occasion, these sly, inquisitive creatures also find their way into homes hunting for tasty treats. In areas frequented regularly, they even dig latrines. 

So, what was the most interesting fact I learned during my research about the traits of raccoons? Answer: I was aware raccoons are very agile climbers but did you know they've been known to scale skyscrapers? 

As for me, learning this fact was a "wow" moment. Honorable mention: The digging of latrines.  

What about you? Did find something interesting or learn anything new about the traits of raccoons you weren't aware of before today?  If so, please share.

References:

Raccoon steals cat food

Common Raccoon

Facts About Raccoons

10 Clever Facts About Raccoons

Descriptions of Various Types of Fox

    Foxes are deeply entrenched in the lore of many ancient cultures. Some Native American tribes believed foxes were creator gods; benevolent and wise. Others though associated them with fire and the sun.

    Foxes are small to medium-sized animals with russet-red fur, pointed ears, and a bushy tail. Foxes have a triangular face, pointed ears, an elongated rostrum, and a bushy tail. They have narrow ears and white-colored undersides that help distinguish them from common household pets.

    Most fox tails have colors at the end called tags. Red foxes tend to have white tags, fennec foxes and gray foxes have black tags. This can help tell them apart. Gray foxes sometimes get confused with red foxes, but the tag color can help clear up any doubt.

    Foxes eyes are unique with an air of mystery. Foxes have many features that draw your attention to them, but their eyes have an intensity that feels consuming. Foxes are nocturnal by nature. This is evident from the way they can see in the dark, as well as in the daytime.

    Most foxes pupils are vertically split, instead of round, like other canids. The structure of their eyes is very similar to cat eyes. The vertical pupils, give them the ability to restrict light going into the eye. This allows them to see in many different light conditions, such as night, twilight, and daylight.

    Their eyes reflect light, also, much like cats. A layer in their eyes, called the tapetum lucidum, gives them night vision. Because their eyes reflect the light that passes through them, at night it may seem like their eyes are glowing. However, it is just the light reflection.

    Personally, I am enamored by the look of foxes. The vivid and varied colors of their fur is striking.

References:

Fox Facts

What foxes look like

Foxes Characteristics

Red Fox

Gray Fox

Fox Mammal