Raccoons in Japan and elsewhere - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #1 11-04-2012, 11:41 PM

Nature (PBS) has an episode out about urban raccoons – saw it today – amazing stuff. They were able to track a family (Toronto, I think) and were surprised at how limited their range was. Just several blocks IIRC, didn’t even go into a nearby park.

An extra bit of shocking was the manner in which they’ve become an invasive species elsewhere. Japan had a kiddie cartoon some years back, I forget how many years, about a boy and his unbearably cute li’l pet raccoon. Over a thousand were imported from the US and lovingly doted on until they became mean adults. The cartoon even had an episode where the boy took his grown-up raccoon out into the woods to release it, giving the apparent seal of approval on that method of ridding oneself of the once-cute bugger.

Now, rural Japanese temples are fighting infestations of the damn things, which chew wooden structures as well as deposit rot inducing urine and feces.

Video: Raccoon Nation | Watch Nature Online | PBS Video

Germany has a similar infestation, this after importing them for hunters (?!) and fur.

Unfortunately for Germany, it's 'a wonderland for raccoons' - Los Angeles Times

retmil46 · #2 11-05-2012, 12:26 AM

Smart buggers too - round here, they know the difference between a straw broom and a double barrel shotgun on sight alone.

Jim B. · #3 11-05-2012, 12:40 AM

"Leave it to Britain's jingoistic Sun tabloid, never one to mince words or miss a chance to stick it to the Germans, to warn hysterically of "Nazi raccoons on [the] warpath," marching across the Continent toward the English Channel "just like the Nazis did." An illustration of a masked raccoon, foreleg raised with a swastika-stamped red armband, punctuated the point."

"Seig Heil" lol

Some of those British have NEVER gotten over the war with Germany.

cmac2012 · #4 11-05-2012, 12:53 AM

If them suckers ever manage to sneak through the Chunnel, will be a national outrage.

retmil46 · #5 11-05-2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

"Leave it to Britain's jingoistic Sun tabloid, never one to mince words or miss a chance to stick it to the Germans, to warn hysterically of "Nazi raccoons on [the] warpath," marching across the Continent toward the English Channel "just like the Nazis did." An illustration of a masked raccoon, foreleg raised with a swastika-stamped red armband, punctuated the point."

"Seig Heil" lol

Some of those British have NEVER gotten over the war with Germany.

You mean like Clarkson, May, and Hammond?

Reminds me of a story about George Clemenceau the French statesman. He was noted for his passionate hatred of Germany. Once he was asked why the hatred, had he ever been to Germany? His reply was "No, I have never been to Germany - but twice in my lifetime, the Germans have been to France!".

cmac2012 · #6 11-05-2012, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

Smart buggers too - round here, they know the difference between a straw broom and a double barrel shotgun on sight alone.

Being a city fellar I've never brandished a shotgun at one though a number of times I've wanted to. If I was rural, I'd want to feed the meat to my dogs. I have chased a few out of the back yard by throwing old shoes.

They're in the bear family, pretty smart indeed. The show mentioned that one needs to be careful when getting rid of raccoon waste. Said that roundworm eggs become airborn when the stuff dries and can have a nasty effect on humanoids. Said you should wear lung protection as well as immediately wash (or burn) clothing.

Might have to look for some cheapo paper painter's outfits as I have a client whose roof collects large piles of what look like raccoon droppings.

cmac2012 · #7 11-05-2012, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

You mean like Clarkson, May, and Hammond?

Reminds me of a story about George Clemenceau the French statesman. He was noted for his passionate hatred of Germany. Once he was asked why the hatred, had he ever been to Germany? His reply was "No, I have never been to Germany - but twice in my lifetime, the Germans have been to France!".

t walgamuth · #8 11-05-2012, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

If them suckers ever manage to sneak through the Chunnel, will be a national outrage.

They will.

elchivito · #9 11-05-2012, 07:58 AM

One of the main vectors of rabies in N. America. Foul beasts, and while they are equipped similarly and are as bad tempered as bears, they aren't closely related to them. Bears and Raccoons belong to different taxonomic families.
Whenever I shoot one, I handle the carcass wearing exam gloves and a mask.

catmandoo62 · #10 11-05-2012, 08:41 AM

around here we always figured if you see a coon,skunk or opposum during daylight it has something wrong with it and gun it down on sight.

Jim B. · #11 11-05-2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Being a city fellar I've never brandished a shotgun at one though a number of times I've wanted to. If I was rural, I'd want to feed the meat to my dogs. I have chased a few out of the back yard by throwing old shoes.

They're in the bear family, pretty smart indeed. The show mentioned that one needs to be careful when getting rid of raccoon waste. Said that roundworm eggs become airborn when the stuff dries and can have a nasty effect on humanoids. Said you should wear lung protection as well as immediately wash (or burn) clothing.

Might have to look for some cheapo paper painter's outfits as I have a client whose roof collects large piles of what look like raccoon droppings.

They have been a problem in the inner Sunset of San Francisco's residential area since at least the early 1980s that I personally know of but I had no idea that they were that dangerous and potential rabies carriers!

Wow!

I wonder if San Francisco's city employed "Rodent Control Technicians" (politically correct (

) nomenclature for their "rat catchers") ever have intervened...,....,

t walgamuth · #12 11-05-2012, 09:55 AM

raccoons aren't rodents!

benhogan · #13 11-05-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

raccoons aren't rodents!

especially if they have first names! I know Rocky Raccoon! Does anyone else here know of him? He was originally from some mining town in the Dakotas.

Got shot once but survived. Found religion later on.

Jim B. · #14 11-05-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

especially if they have first names! I know Rocky Raccoon! Does anyone else here know of him? He was originally from some mining town in the Dakotas.

Got shot once but survived. Found religion later on.

Immortalized!

Beatles Rocky Raccoon Lyrics

Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota
There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon
And one day his woman ran off with another guy
Hit young Rocky in the eye Rocky didn't like that
He said I'm gonna get that boy
So one day he walked into town
Booked himself a room in the local saloon

Rocky Raccoon checked into his room
Only to find Gideon's bible
Rocky had come equipped with a gun
To shoot off the legs of his rival
His rival it seems had broken his dreams
By stealing the girl of his fancy
Her name was Magil and she called herself Lil
But everyone knew her as Nancy
Now she and her man who called himself Dan
Were in the next room at the hoe down
Rocky burst in and grinning a grin
He said Danny boy this is a showdown
But Daniel was hot, he drew first and shot
And Rocky collapsed in the corner, ah

D'da d'da d'da da da da
D'da d'da d'da da da da
D'da d'da d'da da d'da d'da d'da d'da
Do do do do do do

D'do d'do d'do do do do
D'do d'do d'do do do do
D'do d'do d'do do do d'do d'do d'do d'do
Do do do do do do

Now the doctor came in stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said Rocky you met your match
And Rocky said, doc it's only a scratch
And I'll be better I'll be better doc as soon as I am able

And now Rocky Raccoon he fell back in his room
Only to find Gideon's bible
Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt
To help with good Rocky's revival, ah
Oh yeah, yeah

D'do d'do d'do do do do
D'do d'do d'do do do do
D'do d'do d'do do do d'do d'do d'do d'do
Do do do do do do

D'do d'do d'do do do do, come on, Rocky boy
D'do d'do d'do do do do, come on, Rocky boy
D'do d'do d'do do do d'do d'do d'do d'do
The story of Rocky there

Jeremy5848 · #15 11-05-2012, 10:58 AM

We live in a rural area with a seasonal creek so lots of wild animals visit us. Here's a picture of three juvenile racoons in a Maple tree next to our deck. Mama 'Coon chased the kids up there while she investigated the back yard. All I had to do was to walk out onto the deck and snap this picture. Taken at 11:26 PM on August 10, 2012.

Jeremy