Commentaire descriptif

Raccoons have become indigenous to city and suburban areas, making them a common sight in backyards and intersections at night. This short handbook introduces readers to the amazing skills of these former woodland creatures – “one of the world’s most accomplished omnivores” – and highlights the adaptive characteristics that make them such successful survivalists. Several short sections cover the many facets of raccoon life, including “Anatomy Lesson,” “Natural Talents,” “Staying Alive,” “Wild on the Street” and more. Each two- to three-page section features full, rich text with substantial detail: “Both front and back paws have five flexible fingerlike digits, each with a sharp nonretractable claw.” The book is filled with photographs of raccoons in action, accompanied by captions and colourful text bubbles with simple language. One large close-up photo shows the familiar masked face, though “Not quite so cute is its talent for opening doors, latches and garbage bins.” In another, “a raccoon mother gathers her young, which cry when hungry or lonely.” The book ends with a comprehensive index and a reminder to humans to “raccoon-proof” their living spaces and food supplies in light of the intelligence and dexterity of this determined animal.