Keep in mind that she was the wildlife expert who claimed that raccoons don't wash their food, okay? So that should give you a frame of reference to judge anything else she might say. I don't have time to find references online to try to estimate the number of box turtles, but I am pretty sure the number exceeds a few hundred
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Let me apologize in advance for how harsh I was on her that day (raccoon reference), but I was very annoyed. Now I know to not let the imaginary people in head take over lol
http://forums.somd.com/pets-animals/243252-so-heres-dumb-thing-i-did-4.html#post4789604
Wrong Arky, raccoons do not wash their food.
I really wish you would go and Google this info instead of making me do it for you. You would learn something and not have to deal with me..again.
I would show the pics of my babies "washing" rocks..but why waste the film?
Here ya go Lisa:
The behavior you filmed is also called "dabbling" or daubing".
Raccoons have many nerve ending in their paws as we do in our hands, making them more sensitive.
Raccoons sight is not the best, esp at night , in the dark.
Raccoons dont go sticking their heads underwater looking for food.
Raccoons evolved in areas of marsh, creeks, streams, rivers, and coastal areas where their found their favorite foods: clams, crayfish, turtles, frogs.
They walk into the shallows and feel the ground for these items.
The water makes their hands MORE sensitive to shapes and easier to find food!.
They can "see" what they feel underwater, and do very well at it.
They do not wash they food...what you are seeing in you video is due to instinct.
They are "feeling" the food the are about to eat.
Baby raccoons are very tactile..they have to touch everything! The pads on their feet are softer than a cats and again, more sensitive to touch.
They will take toys and demonstrate the same behavior as "washing", they are just getting more information as to what their world looks like.
Give a baby raccoon a basin of water and all sorts of stuff..and it ALL goes into the water. Not to wash or eat, but to explore.
But if you dont believe me, ask yourself this:
What do raccoons do if there is no water?
Go hungry?
Carry a bag of food back to a creek and wash it?
Bring bottled water with them?
Thanks for the comments, video and giving me an chance to help others learn and dispel the "food washing" myth!.
Even better, go Google and see what you learn. Enter "raccoon washing behavior".
Speaking of hand washing, anyone handling turtles should wash their hands afterwards!