Wildlife Photograph

Bales’ Backyard Tales

Raccoon: state's wild animal

February 9, 2008

There was a time when "coon hunters" had to leave the area to find their quarry; the masked mammals had been over-hunted. They were all but gone. But currently raccoons have made a big time comeback; they're doing quite well. You can find their tracks along most creek banks any given day and they are routinely seen in urban settings, roadside culverts and backyards, even becoming a nuisance in some neighborhoods as they frequently raid garbage containers and birdfeeders.

Raccoons are remarkably industrious, just ask Nancy Tanner. For years she had kept her birdseed outside near the feeder in a traditional metal trashcan with a tight fitting lid. She also placed two large rocks on the top, one she said was "so heavy I can barely lift it."

This worked just fine until something started pushing the weight off the top and opening the can to get at the seed. (We can rule out mice.) Nancy then tied a rope around the lid in addition to the rocks but discovered that one night the rope had been gnawed through and the rocks pushed aside. We agreed it must be raccoons.

"I've got a padlock. And I'm going to the hardware to buy some chain," she announced with her characteristic laugh. "Do you think raccoons can pick the lock?"

"Well, if they can find a hatpin, you might be in trouble," I replied. "And if you and tell me that is just what they've done, I won't be surprised." 

In 1972, the 87th General Assembly of the Tennessee legislature passed House Joint Resolution 156, adopting the raccoon as the state's official "wild" animal. I suspect the mammal was so honored because of its devilish good looks, and in this case, my modifier is apropos. They are devilish. We have to assume that raccoons are totally unaware of this statewide honor, but they are notoriously clever and judging by the number of times they have stolen one of my suet feeders, they may be earnestly attempting to live up to their wild and unruly reputation.

Stephen Lyn Bales is a manager and naturalist at Ijams. A native of Gatlinburg, Lyn grew up with a roving curiosity and a national park in his backyard. In addition to his responsibilities at the nature center, he writes regular columns in the weekly farragutpress and bimonthly Hellbender Press. His book "Natural Histories: Stories from the Tennessee Valley," published by the University of Tennessee Press, is available in the Ijams gift shop.

Also visit: stephenlynbales.blogspot.com