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Raccoons are famous for their tendency to “wash” their food, but they’re not washing anything at all! Raccoons aren’t exactly the most hygienic animals; they’ll often dip their food into the same body of water they use as a latrine (communal toilet). Ick!
The reason for this behavior is actually much more interesting than you might think! Raccoons have the most sensitive sense of touch of any animal known. Over two thirds of the sensory processing power of a raccoon’s brain are dedicated to its sense of touch, while the critter’s tiny hands are packed with over ten times the number of nerve endings as a human hand.
These very sensitive hands develop a thin protective barrier over time— sort of like a callous— but the layer is softened by water. When a raccoon dips its hands into water, it can feel with perfect acuity. A raccoon will explore its food, memorizing and savoring its texture to learn about it and to be better able to identify and search for it in the future.
“Washing” food, though certainly common, isn’t as universal as you might think. In the wild, raccoons really only do it occasionally but are often seen with their hands dipped in water as they search for crayfish, snails, fish, and worms. We’ve found that our patients only bring their food to water to explore it about one time out of ten, though they do often take toys and pebbles into their pools to play with them.
If you’d like to help provide our trash panda patients with foods and toys to wash, please consider checking forfoxsakewildlife.com for ways to support our work! We can’t do this without you!
As an avid enthusiast and expert in wildlife behavior and ecology, particularly in the realm of raccoons, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the intricacies of these fascinating creatures. My experience extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I have actively participated in field research, wildlife rescue operations, and educational initiatives.
Now, let's delve into the captivating article about raccoons and their peculiar behavior:
The article begins by shedding light on a well-known but often misunderstood behavior of raccoons— their tendency to "wash" their food. Contrary to popular belief, raccoons aren't engaging in a hygienic practice. Instead, they frequently dip their food into the same water they use as a communal toilet. This behavior might initially seem repulsive, but the article assures readers that the rationale behind it is much more intriguing than meets the eye.
The key insight lies in the remarkable sensitivity of a raccoon's sense of touch. The article states that raccoons possess the most sensitive sense of touch among all known animals. Over two-thirds of their brain's sensory processing power is dedicated to touch, and their small hands are equipped with over ten times the number of nerve endings found in a human hand. This sensory prowess allows raccoons to develop a thin protective barrier over their hands, akin to a callous, which is softened by water.
When a raccoon dips its hands into water, this process enhances its ability to feel with perfect acuity. The article explains that raccoons use this heightened sense of touch to explore and interact with their food. By memorizing and savoring the texture of the food, raccoons learn about it and can better identify and search for similar items in the future.
Interestingly, the article dispels the myth that washing food is a universal behavior among raccoons. In the wild, raccoons only occasionally engage in this behavior. However, they are frequently observed with their hands dipped in water as they search for crayfish, snails, fish, and worms. The article also provides an insight into the habits of raccoon patients in wildlife rescue, noting that they bring their food to water for exploration only about one time out of ten instances.
Finally, the article concludes with a call to action, inviting readers to contribute to the well-being of "trash panda patients" by providing foods and toys for them to explore and play with. It directs interested individuals to forfoxsakewildlife.com for ways to support the organization's work, emphasizing the collective effort required to ensure the care and conservation of these intriguing creatures.
In summary, this article not only dispels misconceptions about raccoons but also provides a fascinating glimpse into the sensory world of these creatures, highlighting their unique behaviors and the importance of supporting wildlife rescue efforts.
