The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a carnivorous mammal native to Central and North America. It stands out for having a black mask around the eyes, a thick and ringed tail, as well as especially sharp claws prepared for climbing. It is very likely that this animal seems endearing to you, even more so if you have seen videos about them on the net, however, is it correct to adopt these animals as pets?
In this article on our site we will talk about keeping the raccoon as a pet, if it is legal to have a raccoon in Spain or how to care for it should receive this species if it finally reaches our homes, in addition to many other tips. We solve your doubts 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 native species, and is also the second leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. world. [1]
Therefore, 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 14 other species.
The raccoon has been present in Spain since the year 2000, but it was not until seven years later that attempts were made to control its population. In fact, it is estimated that the possibility of eradicating its presence on the peninsula is less and less. 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 people who obtained it before the entry into force of Law 42 /2007 will be able to keep it if it is sterilized. [2] [3] In no case can it be released in the middle. The problems that a raccoon can cause in Spanish territory include damage to crops, hydraulic infrastructure and the possible transmission of zoonoses.
Can you have a pet raccoon?
Although keeping a raccoon as a pet is legal, it is important to ask ourselves if it is correct before taking such an important step as introducing this animal into an urban environment, sterilizing it and take care of it throughout its life.
Is the raccoon a domestic or wild animal?
Unlike more popular pets such as dogs and cats, the raccoon is a wild animal that has not been domesticated By For this, we must know that some of the typical behaviors of the species, such as movement, dousing (washing food) or socialization, are incompatible with their possession in an urban environment, where the animal would be unable to carry out the behaviors typical of its species.
Likewise, keeping an animal in captivity without knowing about its needs can cause the appearance of he alth problems and behavioral problems, thus affecting its emotional well-being.
Thinking about adopting a raccoon?
On different online buying and selling pages you can find countless ads for raccoon breeders, but the reality is that you won't find them in pet stores in your neighborhood, for example. Why does this happen? The raccoon is not a companion animal nor does it display the same docile behaviors that cats or dogs do. The place where a raccoon should be is in the woods, in its natural habitat.
It is a playful and docile mammal when young, but in its adult phase of life It can be aggressive with humans if their behavior is not respected and improper handling is carried out. If you still consider having a raccoon as a pet, you should always carry out the adoption when the animal is still small and fully socialized.
Where can I adopt a raccoon?
If you have definitely decided to bring a raccoon into your home, it will be essential that you invest time in learning about its origin and the care it requires. If you go to a specialized breeder, remember that you must require the seller to have the corresponding CITES certificate (International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species). This certificate will assure you that your new pet cannot contract rabies and other diseases. It is for this reason that we advise you to be wary of private advertisements that circulate on the net.
The best option if you want to have a raccoon as a pet is without a doubt go to an animal shelter It happens that, on many occasions, people who were determined to adopt a raccoon have been overwhelmed by its character, behavior, etc. Every year animals are abandoned around the world, join the solidarity option and do not promote the trade of live animals.
Raccoon Behavior
Raccoons are highly intelligent animals, with 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]
During the night the raccoons carry out the marking behavior in the trees, mainly poplars, to consolidate their territory, while They hide in tree cavities. [5] In urban settings they are often installed in attics, fireplaces, porches, sheds, and abandoned buildings.
From dusk the raccoon goes out in search of food, hunting small birds, eggs, insects, fish, snakes, fruits or amphibians Later it will wash them on the banks of a river or stream, a behavior especially known for this species.
How to care for a pet raccoon?
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 on the loose in the garden where ideally there will be climbing trees and a pond or fountain where "wash" their food They love water (in the wild they often wash fruits and crabs in rivers before eating them).
Fruit, vegetables, chicken, turkey, clean fish and even cat food cannot be missing from the raccoon's diet. Never with red meat Their metabolism allows them to eat a wide variety of foods, but that doesn't mean we should give them any type of product.
Raccoons need a minimum hygiene which will consist of one or two baths a year. We should not abuse baths because raccoons could lose the properties of the fat that covers their skin. The bath will be long with a neutral shampoo, well rinsed.
The raccoon sheds once a year, for this reason we recommend that, especially at this time of shedding, we take special care to brush him so you don't look stressed. We can use a metal bristle brush for this, always remembering that we must be careful not to hurt it.
Regarding education, we must be clear that we will never aggressively repress them They are intelligent and curious animals that, for sure, they will try to bite, scratch and climb any furniture, surface and object, we must be prepared. We will use positive reinforcement to encourage him to carry out positive behaviors, never punishment, fights, yelling or aggressiveness.
In fact, they are very intelligent animals, capable of learning hygienic routines, tricks and even understanding various commands. We can educate them in the same way as a dog or cat, with the limitations that it presents as it is not a domestic animal.
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 he alth. In the case of having a raccoon as a pet, we should know that regular visits to the vet are mandatory. We must follow a vaccination and deworming schedule, which will be marked by the specialist who handles our case. The vaccine against rabies, for example, is mandatory for these animals.
Likewise, the raccoon is susceptible to many other pathologies, like any other animal, being vulnerable to obesity when it is found in a home environment.
To finish we want to emphasize once again that the raccoon is not a domestic animal Although in some cases, when we talk about rescued raccoons, these animals can adapt to a domestic environment and create very positive bonds with their guardians, from our site we do not recommend keeping them in a home, as we consider that this species should live in freedom.
