Raccoon Procyon lotor or Common Raccoon is a most unusual critter. They have thumbs
(though not opposable) that make quick work of garbage cans, doors, and other formerly closed,
containers. The word "raccoon" is derived from the Algonquian word aroughcoune, "he who scratches
with his hands." Raccoons will eat anything, and are one of the few animals that have benefitted
from human encroachment. You can now find them in more places than ever. They are one of the few
animals that can descend a tree head first. Amazingly, they rotate their hind feet 180 degrees to
accomplish this feat. Rabies in Raccoons Raccoon rabies was much less prevalent in the U.S.
prior to 1950. But during the next 20 years, raccoon rabies began to spread and reports increased,
especially in Florida and Georgia. In 1977, a variant of raccoon rabies distinct from the southern
variant was detected in Virginia and West Virginia. This variant has since spread north along the
eastern seaboard to Ontario, Canada. According to a 2003 Purdue University newsletter: "There
has been an increased number of rabies cases in domestic animals in the northeast due to
raccoon rabies. Therefore, rabid raccoons could potentially lead to human exposure through
rabid domestic animals." In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention confirmed the
first human death associated with Raccoon Rabies. The best prevention advice is to stay away
from wild animals, live or dead, and call Wilderness Animal Control immediately. If your pet is
acting ill or strange, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Wiki: Raccoon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racoon
eNature: Raccoon http://www.enature.com/flashcard/show_flash_card.asp?recordNumber=MA0029
Purdue University: Rabies in Raccoons http://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/2003/Summer/rabies.shtml
First Human Death Associated with Raccoon Rabies http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5245a4.htm

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