Raccoon

Raccoons (spelled with two “c“s and two “o“s) are curious, inquisitive animals. Working mainly during the night, raccoons strive to reach their goals: to find enough food for the winter. They do so with confidence, exploring territories far and wide. This includes places that humans try to make difficult to reach. Indeed, if a raccoon can open a trash can that you try to protect from raccoons, it begs the question: what else can the raccoon do? Fly a rocket?

In addition to their curiosity and determination, raccoons have many other desirable attributes. The Texas Parks and Wildlife authority reports that Common Raccoons (Procyon lotor) have “Excellent night vision and an acute sense of hearing”. Furthermore, raccoons have sensitive paws, which helps them navigate their terrain. Such “nimble fingers”, reported again by the Texas Parks and Wildlife authority, are useful in accessing food.

Raccoons are on the map, literally. Running through Des Moines, Iowa, there is a 30.8 mile river called the “Raccoon River”. There is also an unincorporated territory in Kentucky: Raccoon City, Kentucky. An unincorporated territory with the name “City” in it? We’ll need a raccoon to help us navigate that contradiction!

All in all, raccoons are delightful animals. So much so that President Calvin Coolidge and First Lad Grace Coolidge kept a pet raccoon, Rebecca. Indeed, the First Family trusted the raccoon so much that, according to Wikipedia, “Rebecca was let loose in the White House and walked on a leash outdoors.”