The raccoon as a pet - Regulations and care

The raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) is a carnivorous mammal originating in Central and North America.It stands out for having a black mask around the eyes, a thick and ringed tail, as well as specially sharp claws prepared to climb.this animal seems endearing to you, even more if you have seen videos about them on the net, however, is the adoption of these animals as pets correct?

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about the possession of raccoon as a pet , if it is legal to have a raccoon in Spain or that care should receive this species if it finally reaches our homes, in addition to many other tips.We answer your questions below:

Is it legal to have a raccoon in Spain?

The possession of exotic animals has a direct impact on the conservation of the species that inhabit our ecosystems.In fact, it is estimated that the introduction of exotic species has caused the extinction of 39% of the species autochthonous , being also the second cause of biodiversity loss worldwide.[1]

For all these reasons, both at European and state level, attempts have been made to control and prevent the introduction of certain exotic species, such as the raccoon ( Procyon lotor ), as well as other 14 species.

The raccoon has been present in Spain since 2000, but it is not until seven years later when it begins to try to control its population.In fact, it is estimated that the possibility of eradicating its presence in the peninsula is decreasing.We find it distributed in Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia and Valencia.[1 ]

Currently it is not legal to have a raccoon in Spain , although Those who obtained it before the entry into force of Law 42/2007 may keep it if it is sterilized.[2] [3] In no case may it be released in the middle.The problems that a raccoon can cause in Spanish territory include damage to crops, hydraulic infrastructures and the possible transmission of zoonoses.

Can you have a raccoon as a pet?

Although holding a raccoon as a pet is legal, it is important to ask if it is correct before taking such an important step as the fact of introducing this animal into an urban environment, sterilizing it and take care of him throughout his life.

Is the raccoon a domestic or wild animal?

Unlike the most popular domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, the raccoon is a wild animal that has not been tamed .Therefore, we should know that some of the typical behaviors of the species, such as displacement, dousing (food washing) or socialization , are incompatible with their possession in an urban environment, where the animal would be unable to carry out the behaviors of its species.

Likewise, keep an animal in captivity Without having knowledge about your needs, it can cause the appearance of health problems and behavioral problems, affecting So to your emotional well-being.

Are you thinking about adopting a raccoon?

In different online buying and selling pages you can find countless advertisements of raccoon breeders, but the reality is that you won't find them in animal stores in your neighborhood, for example.Why does this happen? The raccoon is not a companion animal nor does it show the same docile behaviors as cats or dogs do.The place where a raccoon should be is in the forests, in its natural habitat.

It is a playful and docile mammal in youth, but in its adult phase of life it can be aggressive with the human being if its behavior is not respected and improper handling is carried out.If you still consider holding a Raccoon as a pet should always be adopted when the animal is still small and in full socialization.

Where can I adopt a raccoon?

If you are definitely determined to bring a raccoon to your home, it will be essential that you invest time in inform you about its origin and the care it requires.If you go to a specialized breeder remember to require the seller to have the corresponding CITES certificate endangered species).This certificate will ensure that your new pet can not get rabies and other diseases.It is for this reason that we advise you to distrust the ads of individuals that circulate through the network.

The best option if you want to have a raccoon as a pet is undoubtedly go to an animal shelter .It happens that, on many occasions, people who were determined to adopt a raccoon have seen overwhelmed by its character, behavior etc.Each year animals are abandoned around the world, join the solidarity option and do not encourage the trade of live animals.

Raccoon Behavior

Raccoons are very intelligent animals, of nocturnal habits and especially active.In the wild, raccoon populations maintain an important spatial organization.We can observe the approximate presence of one individual per km2 .Males will maintain a distance of up to 3 km from each other, while females will move within the space of a single adult male.[4]

Overnight raccoons they perform the marking behavior on trees, mainly we wing, to consolidate their territory, while hiding in tree cavities.[5] In urban environments, enaticos, chimneys, porches, sheds and abandoned buildings are usually installed.

From the twilight the raccoon leaves in search of food , hunting small birds, eggs, insects , fish, snakes, fruits or amphibians.Later he will wash them on the shore of a river or creek, a specially known behavior of this species.

How to care for a raccoon as a pet?

The raccoon cannot live inside an apartment or flat.If we definitely want to have a raccoon as a pet we must have a house with a garden and an exclusive space for it: a large cage or even a room.It is very important to try to recreate the natural habitat of the raccoon.

You will need to spend long periods of the day loose in the garden where the ideal would be to have climbing trees and a pond or fountain where "wash" your food .They love water (in nature they usually wash fruits and crabs in the rivers before eating them).

In feeding the raccoon you can not miss the fruit, vegetables, chicken, turkey, clean fish and even with cat food. Never with red meat .Their metabolism allows them to eat very varied foods but that does not mean we should give them any type of product.

Raccoons need a minimum hygiene that will consist of one or two baths per year.We should not abuse the baths because the raccoons could lose the properties of the fat that cover their skin.The bath will be long with a neutral, well-clarified shampoo.

The raccoon changes from hair once a year, for that reason we advise that especially in this time of molting we take special care of brushing so that it does not show stress.We can use a metal brush for it, always remembering that we should be careful not to harm him.

As for education, we must be clear that we will never repress him aggressively .These are intelligent and curious animals that are sure to try Bite, plow and climb any furniture, surface and object, we must be prepared.We will use positive reinforcement to stimulate you to carry out positive behaviors, never punishment, queens, screams or aggressiveness.

In fact, they are very intelligent animals, capable of learning nder hygienic routines, tricks and even understand various orders .We can educate them in the same way as a dog or cat, with the limitations that present when not being a domestic animal.

It It is advisable that all those who want to have a raccoon as a pet go to a professional , preferably a veterinarian specialized in ethology or a biologist.

Common Raccoon Diseases

To finish we will review the basic aspects related to health.In the case of holding a raccoon as a domestic animal we should know that regular visits to the veterinarian are required.We must follow a Vaccination and deworming calendar, which will be marked by the specialist who leads our case. Rabies vaccine , for example, is mandatory in these animals.

Likewise, The raccoon is susceptible to many other pathologies, like any other animal, being vulnerable to suffering from obesity when it is in a domestic environment.

Finally we want to highlight once more that The raccoon is not a domestic animal .While in some cases, when we talk about rescued raccoons, these animals can adapt to a domestic environment and create very positive ties with their tutors, from Animals and Pets Online no We advise your tenure in a home , We consider that this species should live in freedom.

Yes You want to read more articles similar to The raccoon as a pet , we recommend that you enter our section of What you need to know.

References

Network card Raccoon Alert-SECEM Law 42/2007, of December 13, on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity.Spanish strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of Biological Diversity-Ministry for Ecological Transition Fritzell, Erik K."Aspects of raccoon (Procyon lotor) social organization." Canadian Journal of Zoology 56.2 (1978): 260-271.Gehrt, Stanley D., and Dwight L.Spencer."Raccoon denning behavior in eastern Kansas as determined from radio-telemetry." Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science (1903) (1990): 71-78.

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