Sunday, March 18, 2012

The Angry Raccoon

Last week, while trying to cam trap some ducks on the edge of our pond in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the camera caught this very angry-looking raccoon trundling by.

But as you can see - his attitude is TOTALLY understandable.

angry raccoon

angry raccoon

angry raccoon

Ouch.

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7 comments:

  1. JKMarch 18, 2012

    Oh man. Ouch. We have a tail-less raccoon that hangs out by one of the parking lots on campus, but his injury appears to be in the distant past unlike this guy. I know it would only be speculation but what do you think got it?

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  2. Alyssa JohnsonMarch 18, 2012

    Wow. That looks so sore, and embarrassing for the coon! His pride and joy is gone. I'd wager a coyote or fox snapped it off when the coon was treed.

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  3. Katie (Nature ID)March 18, 2012

    That looks very clean cut. Do you think a person could have trapped and sliced it off? I googled raccoon tails with the intent to find some information about if they use them for balance or sense of touch, and instead found way too many online sites selling tails. Why?

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  4. randomtruthMarch 19, 2012

    I actually found some of the coon's fur along the trail before I saw the cam trap pics.

    There's no one around the area that would be likely to trap them for their tails (and then also leave them alive), so my guess would be coyotes or somebody's dog(s). Gray foxes are probably too small - this big raccoon is their same size, and likely meaner.

    As for the clean cut - it appears it came off at a separation in the vertebrae.

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  5. Camera Trap CodgerMarch 19, 2012

    Telling photos for those who believe wild animals live in serene peace.

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  6. Sebastian KennerknechtMarch 19, 2012

    ouch indeed. at least he is still alive. i am sure the adjustment of not having a tail in the beginning will be hard but it is always amazing how much they are able to adapt to change.

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  7. Bay LaurelMarch 23, 2012

    It looks like he had a run in with Boggis, Bunce and Bean along with the Fantastic Mr. Fox.

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