Because It is safe up here
by Kym Backland
Title
Because It is safe up here
Artist
Kym Backland
Medium
Photograph
Description
This stump holds some lure for this raccoon. Actually this stump is the top of the "Wood Chain". Everyone wants to be on top of it, or be on it. Every squirrel, raccoon, Bird, Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Possum, the list goes on and on. I'm not sure how much longer this stump can stay upright. May Raccoon babies were born or brought to this stump shortly after birth. This particular coonie wants to live on the top of it permanetly. The other don't seem to like him, and he's always up a tree, or hiding from the bullies. Interesting animal. The raccoon is a native mammal, measuring about 3 feet long, including its 12-inch, bushy, ringed tail. Because their hind legs are longer than the front legs, raccoons have a hunched appearance when they walk or run. Each of their front feet has five dexterous toes, allowing raccoons to grasp and manipulate food and other items Raccoons prefer forest areas near a stream or water source, but have adapted to various environments throughout Washington. Raccoon populations can get quite large in urban areas, owing to hunting and trapping restrictions, few predators, and human-supplied food. Adult raccoons weigh 15 to 40 pounds, their weight being a result of genetics, age, available food, and habitat location. Males have weighed in at over 60 pounds. A raccoon in the wild will probably weigh less than the urbanized raccoon that has learned to live on handouts, pet food, and garbage-can leftovers. As long as raccoons are kept out of human homes, not cornered, and not treated as pets, they are not dangerous. Facts about Washington Raccoons Food and Feeding Habitats
•Raccoons will eat almost anything, but are particularly fond of creatures found in water—clams, crayfish, frogs, fish, and snails.
•Raccoons also eat insects, slugs, dead animals, birds and bird eggs, as well as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Around humans, raccoons often eat garbage and pet food.
•Although not great hunters, raccoons can catch young gophers, squirrels, mice, and rats.
•Except during the breeding season and for females with young, raccoons are solitary. Individuals will eat together if a large amount of food is available in an area. Den Sites and Resting Sites
•Dens are used for shelter and raising young. They include abandoned burrows dug by other mammals, areas in or under large rock piles and brush piles, hollow logs, and holes in trees.
•Den sites also include wood duck nest-boxes, attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and abandoned vehicles.
•In urban areas, raccoons normally use den sites as daytime rest sites. In wooded areas, they often rest in trees.
•Raccoons generally move to different den or daytime rest site every few days and do not follow a predictable pattern. Only a female with young or an animal “holed up” during a cold spell will use the same den for any length of time. Several raccoons may den together during winter storms. Reproduction and Home Range •Raccoons pair up only during the breeding season, and mating occurs as early as January to as late as June. The peak mating period is March to April. •After a 65-day gestation period, two to three kits are born.
•The kits remain in the den until they are about seven weeks old, at which time they can walk, run, climb, and begin to occupy alternate dens.
•At eight to ten weeks of age, the young regularly accompany their mother outside the den and forage for them selves. By 12 weeks, the kits roam on their own for several nights before returning to their mother.
•The kits remain with their mother in her home range through winter, and in early spring seek out their own territories.
•The size of a raccoon’s home range as well as its nightly hunting area varies greatly depending on the habitat and food supply. Home range diameters of 1 mile are known to occur in urban areas. Mortality and Longevity
•Raccoons die from encounters with vehicles, hunters, and trappers, and from disease, starvation, and predation.
•Young raccoons are the main victims of starvation, since they have very little fat reserves to draw from during food shortages in late winter and early spring.
•Raccoon predators include cougars, bobcats, coyotes, and domestic dogs. Large owls and eagles will prey on young raccoons.
•The average life span of a raccoon in the wild is 2 to 3 years; captive raccoons have lived 13 years. Raccoons can be seen throughout the year, except during extremely cold periods. Usually observed at night, they are occasionally seen during the day eating or napping in a tree or searching elsewhere for food. Coastal raccoons take advantage of low tides and are seen foraging on shellfish and other food by day. Trails
Raccoons use trails made by other wildlife or humans next to creeks, ravines, ponds, and other water sources. Raccoons often use culverts as a safe way to cross under roads. With a marsh on one side of the road and woods on the other, a culvert becomes their chief route back and forth. Look for raccoon tracks in sand, mud, or soft soil at either end of the culvert. In developed areas, raccoon travel along fences, next to buildings, and near food sources.
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June 16th, 2013
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Viewed 263 Times - Last Visitor from White Plains, NY on 03/09/2024 at 7:54 AM
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Comments (25)
Karen Adams
A beautifully balanced shot, Kym! Love how you have captured him in the middle of something! . . .looks like he has his hand in the cookie jar! . . . .fav/v22
ABeautifulSky Photography
I just love all your raccoon photos Kym! We have raccoons around our place here in Maine, but we almost never see them--they only come around at night, usually after we're in bed! f/v
Kym Backland
BRUCE, Long time no see! Happy Weekend! Thank you for the feature of my photo BECAUSE IT IS SAFE UP HERE in your wonderful group OUT WEST 1 PER DAY!Have a great weekend, good to see you back Bruce!
Kym Backland
PHYLLIS, Happy Weekend! Thank you for the feature of my photo BECAUSE IT IS SAFE UP HERE in your wonderful group FUZZY WARM AND SOFT 2 A Day... Have a great weekend Phyllis!
Kym Backland
JIM, Hello Huntington Beach! Thank you for the feature today! I appreciate you giving my photo BECAUSE IT IS SAFE UP HERE a feature in your group COMFORTABLE ART- LIMIT 2.. You are doing a great job after taking over the group.. I appreciate it Jim!
Kym Backland
NADINE AND BOB, Happy Soltice! Thank you for the feature of my photo BECAUSE IT IS SAFE UP HERE in your wonderful group ALL NATURAL SCENIC LANDSCAPES.. thanks again my Bob!
David and Carol Kelly
So cute!! f/v
Kym Backland replied:
David and Carol, Are you two just the cutest couple! Thanks for dropping by, and leaving a vote!
Eti Reid
OMG!!! I am in love! Kym dear I need to buy you a crown!!f/v
Kym Backland replied:
Eti, Ok, I would love a crown! But, I have a small head (for now).... if you keep giving me all these compliments, I am going to need a bigger size! Maybe I should wait to give you the size huh? Are there more compliments to come Eti? hehe... (oh I am feeling so witty after reading your comments!)... Happy Soltice..
Kym Backland
ZSUZSA, Hello long time now see! Happy Soltice! Thank you for the feature of my photo BECAUSE IT IS SAFE UP HERE in your wonderful and emotive group CHILDREN SECTOR.. thanks again my friend~
Angela Stanton
I think because he is hungry and didn't get his share for today! :) lol, so cute! v/f
Kym Backland replied:
Angela, This coonie wants company more than anything.. He is lonely, and cries all the time.. it's the strangest thing... I'm not sure why ... the deer does it, the squirrel does it and now this little raccooon.. thanks for coming by as always!
Ivete Basso
Beautiful shot, capture and description, Kym! V/F. Thanks for visit the Colosseum and for the nice comment. Appreciate very much!
Marija Djedovic
:) So it seems:))) Beautiful capture, voted:)
Kym Backland replied:
Marija, Thanks for your sweet note and your vote! Always good to see you my friend..
Kelly ZumBerge
Great stump story:) and fun capture! v
Kym Backland replied:
Kelly, thanks for coming by, It allowed me to see all your wonderful silk paintings.. I apprecaite your vote too!
Eddie Eastwood
Great shot Kym! I love the way you have captured him looking right at you! VF
Kym Backland replied:
Eddie, Thank you my cheerleader.. I always appreciate your time and votes and efforts!
Kym Backland
ELLA, Happy Sunday Nite to ya! Thanks for the feature my photo BECAUSE IT IS SAFE UP HERE in your group NATURE WILDLIFE SUNSETS AND SUNRISES.. THanks for the double feature tonight!
Lori Tordsen
Such a wonderful image (caught up a pole). Thanks so much for all of your nice comments and for visiting my photos. It took me awhile to get back this time as i have had a sick family member (needs a kidney) and we moved into a new home.
Kym Backland replied:
Lori, Oh my! I'm so sorry! I know what you mean about sick family members.. I hope all goes well for you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers... Thanks for your response.. I hope your family member recieve a kidney.. Take care of yourself too Lori...
Donna Kennedy
He wants to be King of the dead tree, lol! Cute shot Kym! v/f
Kym Backland replied:
Donna, You are so right! Thanks for all your notes today! And your votes too! I'll never look at squirrels quite the same now! hehe..
Kym Backland
CHARLIE, Thanks for being the first to feature my photo BECAUSE IT IS SAFE UP HERE in your group NATURE AND LANDSCAPE..
Al Bourassa
Wow!! What a GREAT shot Kym! V/F
Kym Backland replied:
Al, thanks again, I didn't realize you wouldn't be able to see the raccoon in the little picture icon window.. he's off the page.. thanks for your vote today!
Jeff Swanson
Great shot Kym. Voted. I put a new photo of raccoons up, stop by a take a look.
Kym Backland replied:
Jeff, I stopped by your photo! Too cute! Love your little fellers.. Thanks for you vote and the note to come by your gallery.. I give it "Two paws up!" ..hehe