Domesticated Raccoon: What States is it Legal to Have A Pet Raccoon?
Domesticated Raccoon: What States is it Legal to Have A Pet Raccoon?
About Raccoons
The raccoon is a mammal that is native to North America, and its closest relatives are the procyonids of South America. The word “raccoon” was adopted into English from a Native American word (compare Algonquian words meaning “[the] one who rubs [itself] against trees”) used in reference either to the animal’s habit of washing its food before eating or to the act of rubbing tree bark on its fur for protection from insects.
Domestic raccoons are common pets, but they’re not the same as other domesticated animals like dogs or cats. Raccoons are wild animals that can be dangerous to humans and should never be treated like domestic pets.
Still, if you want to get a raccoon, you need to make sure that the environment you live in is large enough and have the time for a full-time pet. If not, raccoons probably aren’t the right fit for your lifestyle. If you don’t want your raccoon to be alone, you need to have another raccoon for a companion.
Domesticated raccoons don’t need any special housing. Just make sure that the cage is big enough. They will enjoy playing in a big garden as well, and if it’s not possible, give them a room or just an extra room of your house to play in.
Raccoons need the company of humans and other raccoons more than anything else so that they can thrive in captivity.
Raccoon Lifespan: 20 years
Raccoons are often considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in North America. They can live for up to 20 years, and they have been known to learn tricks like playing fetch and rolling over on command.
However, raccoons are not domesticated animals, so even though they might seem like good pets, they will never truly feel at home with humans as long as their natural instincts remain intact.
Are Raccoons Friendly to Humans?
Raccoons are not typically aggressive to humans, but they may attack if they feel threatened. If you see a raccoon in your backyard or near your home, it is best to leave them alone and let them go on their way.
It is important not to feed raccoons because this can lead to the animals becoming dependent on human food sources.
Raccoons in the wild are not really friendly to humans. They have been known to chase people away and even attack them when they catch sight of a person on their turf. There’s nothing wrong with that, as it is the raccoon’s natural instinct for survival.
What about domesticated raccoons? The answer might surprise you: most domesticated raccoons are pretty loving! Yes, we’re talking about pet raccoons.
These little guys can be very affectionate and love being around humans – so much so that some owners describe their coon as having “a dog-like personality.”
Are Racoons Good Pets?
Raccoons are not domesticated animals, and as such, they cannot be kept as pets. They have a strong sense of territory and will often fight with other raccoons in the area. In some states, it is illegal to keep them without a permit.
There are many people that think they are. Raccoons are nocturnal, which means they are mainly active during the night. They have fairly small brains compared to other types of animals. There is a female raccoon that was once found in a cave where she had been living alone for 18 years. She was blind and weighed only 20 pounds (9 kilograms).
Raccoons have a good sense of sight and smell. They are also extremely fast and strong. They make their dens in crevices of rocks, as well as hollow trees with deadwood. They sometimes live in bushy areas or near water.
Raccoons are highly intelligent and independent creatures that can be aggressive to people. Raccoons are nocturnal, which means they are mainly active during the night.
Raccoons can live up to 15-20 years in the wild and about half that time in captivity. In cold climates, they can freeze solid. One thing that almost all people agree on is that raccoons are messy.
Raccoons are known to throw up and can be a pest in the trash cans in the area they live. They can also carry a variety of diseases and parasites, most notably ringworm.
People consider raccoons as pets because they are more intelligent than dogs or cats and have a tendency to want human contact. The only thing you need to know before getting a raccoon as a pet is that it needs to have its nails trimmed regularly.
Domestic raccoons are common pets, but they’re not the same as other domesticated animals like dogs or cats. Raccoons are wild animals that can be dangerous to humans and should never be treated like domestic pets.
Still, if you want to get a raccoon, you need to make sure that the environment you live in is large enough and have the time for a full-time pet. If not, raccoons probably aren’t the right fit for your lifestyle. If you don’t want your raccoon to be alone, you need to have another raccoon for a companion.
Domesticated raccoons don’t need any special housing. Just make sure that the cage is big enough. They will enjoy playing in a big garden as well, and if it’s not possible, give them a room or just an extra room of your house to play in.
Raccoons need the company of humans and other raccoons more than anything else so that they can thrive in captivity.
What States is it Legal to Have A Pet Raccoon?
Is it legal to own a raccoon in the United States?
It is not illegal to own a raccoon in most states, but there are some restrictions, such as restricting ownership of rabies-infected animals. For people living in New York City, it is against the law to keep any type of wild animal as a pet.
The city of Chicago does not allow wild animals to be kept as pets even if they are captive-bred and the owner has a permit from the state. It is now illegal to keep raccoons or any type of wild animal in the City of Boston as pets.
In Texas, there is no statewide law regarding wild animal ownership as pets, but several cities have enacted restrictions. The Texas Animal Health Commission has classified raccoons as “tame” animals due to the high level of rabies in the state.
Besides, the commission requires a license for people who keep raccoons as pets. Raccoons cannot be kept in a city where they are not allowed, such as Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. Oklahoma state law does not allow anyone to keep or sell raccoons or any kind of wild animal as pets.
It is legal to have a pet raccoon in the following states: Florida, Arkansas, Delaware, Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Texas, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Why are Raccoons Illegal as Pets?
Short answer: for the same reason owning a tiger, lion, or another large cat would be illegal. It’s not the size of the animal but its temperament and disposition that make it a risky pet.
Raccoons can carry rabies and distemper. Both are very dangerous to humans and domesticated animals. Have you ever seen one? They are very intelligent – almost as intelligent as dogs (and cats).
Any animal that is wild, no matter how long it’s been domesticated, will have the urge to escape – especially if it is kept in a cage or a small area.
The raccoon can get into all kinds of things (power/phone lines, garbage cans), and if it escapes, it is dangerous to humans (it WILL bite). They are not ideal pets for adults or children. There are many cases of raccoons attacking people.
If you want a pet like a raccoon, get a dog. They are much less trouble.
So, how do you get one if they are illegal?
Well, it is against the law for a reason – it is not a good idea. Raccoons are wild animals, and they have to be treated as such. Other animals that people may think are good pets, such as puppies/kittens and monkeys. It doesn’t matter if the raccoon is a baby – it will still bite, and it will still escape.
Some people say that they are illegal because they are protected (under the Endangered Species Act) and that they can only be sold to zoos. This is not true; you can get one from a breeder (just like you can for dogs, cats, or other animals). You can’t just take one from the wild because it is illegal to own them, period.
