What to feed a family of racoons

[m1chae1]

Hi there my neighbor has recently moved out and whilst rooting around in his shed I found a family of possums or racoons, I've got no idea what to feed them I've tried worms, maggots and babyfood but they're not interested what should I feed them? There are two adults and 6 babies, on a side note do they carry rabies as my wife was mauled pretty badly when one ran up her leg to escape from me. Thanks.
mike.

[sandyRoe]

If you fattened them up a bit this might come in useful.

http://www.backwoodsbound.com/zracoon.html

[m1chae1]

Possibly pastafreak, ill do some studying and find out more about them tomorrow.

[tinkerbell23]

Well i hope they do well- they can be agressive so id watch! I think theyre into everything aswell ...!! U mite not have much of a spare room left ....

X

[tinkerbell23]

Awww and dont split up the wee family :0(

[pastafreak]

Lol ! @ tinks :-)

[m1chae1]

Sandyroe what a cruel thing to say though I suspect your tongue was in cheek! Tinkerbell these things may not even be legal so there's no way I want to tangle with the law, Ill do it nice and legally or not at all.

[m1chae1]

Okay goodnight my horlicks is ready and it's time for bed, good evening to everyone.

[e.crespo]

I saw this story today, while wasting time online : http://www.dailymail....ampered-raccoons.html
Unfortunately I don't think there is any clues as to raccoon diets:)
JJ

[Clanad]

Well... at the risk of incurring the wrath of animal lovers... I do live in the U.S. and let me tell you in no uncertain terms that raccoons are not a wild animal one would want to encourage living nearby. They are , as mentioned, rabies carriers, but beyond that they are also very susceptible to distemper. The rabies can be vaccinated against, but if there's an event where a human is suspected of being bit by a raccoon the authorities, at least here, will not accept the vaccination card as valid for protecting the animal and it will probably have to be destroyed for testing as well as the human gong through a nasty testing procedure as well.
They grow to enormous size, the boars (males) getting to be 40 to 50 pounds in size.
They are prone to raccoon round worm infection, which is a serious problem since the parasite can be transferred to humans.
They are naturally nocturnal, so they're gonna be up all night digging in your cupboards since they are also very inquisitive and explore every where, since they are accomplished climbers.
They don't take at all to being disciplined. Harsh yelling can prompt a biting attack... they bite almost without provocation.
All this was learned from a relative that tried to domesticate one in the southern U.S.
By the way... most veterinarians won't treat raccoons...
So... unless you can find a rescue place for them, they'd best be done away with, as uncaring as that may sound. If you feed them to a survivable size, they'll never make it in the wild and expect you to feed them for the next 15 years, which is how long they normally live.
Lastly, my relative said the best food for them is a good, high protein dry dog food. They are omnivores and don't handle much meat very well... (gives them the runs if overdone). I won't go into how they construct latrines in the most imaginative places...

[wolf63]

clanad - so not good pet material? I read in a trashy women's magazine that Skunks are the new 'in' pet to have. I think that I will stick to my felines and maybe a canis lupus or two.

[e.crespo]

Clanad, please look at the Daily Mail story I have linked above your post. This is a UK family with 20 pet raccoons that live in the house, I thought they were crazy and your post confirms it!

[wolf63]

e.crespo - the Daily Mail story is ..... I dunno. I have two cats that I love and care for they are nice cats (usually) and great company. But if the get frightened or hurt themselves they turn into vicious wild animals. Racoons (and wolf hybrids) are not 'pet material'.

Having said all that they are really, really cute and I now feel a little broody.

[Clanad]

wolf63... one of the few animals that would probably be worse as a pet than raccoons would be your Canis lupus or North american Gray Wolf... unless you mean Canis lupus familiaris... or pet dog...

[Answerprancer]

Has anyone in this thread got any p!ss left in them ?

[looobylooo]

lol ^^ AP ;o)

[wolf63]

clanad - no I mean a real wolf. I know that they are not 'pet material' but they are my favourite animal. There is/was talk of releasing them in Scotland in the Highlands. This would be a terrible idea for all concerned - especially the wolf.

:)

[wolf63]

We was bored - and you never know, there may be a shed full of raccoons somewhere in the UK.

[pastafreak]

Anything is possible...there have been sightings of them in various areas of the UK.
But whole families??Hmmm....I wonder where the dad is?