The raccoon uses it's paws for climbing. With their close to human hand, 5 fingers, one of which they use like a thumb, they pick up their food to eat. If there is water around, you will see them "washing" their food. Raccoons love to "touch" and this is a reason for their washing of food... not to clean the food, but to feel the food before they eat it. The bottom of their paws are very soft to the touch. Raccoons may be very cute... but they do NOT make good pets! They are curious about everything... meaning... they get into EVERYTHING. If you find an injured or orphaned raccoon, contact a wildlife rehabilitator... do not try to care for them on your own. This is Zorro... we raised him from a baby. He was released 3 years ago. Every year, in the early Spring, he returns. This year... he brought 8 babies with him that "HE" picked up from the neighborhood.

Raccoons do not like the smell of cigarettes. You can see what Zorro thinks of it. This is Giggles, we raised him from a baby. Once he was ready, he was released back into the wild.