What is with the suicidal raccoons?

[KitchenWitch]

I swear to goddess, driving around today, I saw six dead raccoons in like a four square mile area. They all had run out into traffic.

[Telly Savalas]

1. I confess.

It was me. The little furry bastards got in the organic waste recycling again. (God, that smells so lovely to clean up.)

Made it look like an accident so as not to arouse suspicion.

[Wapsie B]

2. Probably rabid

if they were wandering around like that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. No idea. ,my dear KitchenWitch...

Perhaps they know something we don't? LIke the apolcalypse? or maybe an earthquake? Who knows?

:scared:

[Floogeldy]

4. It's not suicide.

It's the old I'm Too Stupid To Cross The Road Syndrome.

;)

[gardenista]

5. Could it be mating season? They get a little forgetful around that time.

Darwin's theory in action, in this new urban environment.

[RevCheesehead]

6. Badger envy.

Go, BIG RED! :bounce:

[Ladyhawk]

7. I saw a documentary narrated by David Attenborough that

says city raccoons are more road-wise than country raccoons. I thought that was interesting.

And no, it isn't even close to breeding season, which is from January to March depending on climate and elevation.

I really like raccoons. I raised three babies at different times when I was a kid and no, they do not make good pets. :) They are hyper and can't sit still. They are nimble enough to get into drawers and pantries. They are not cuddly. They play extremely rough and occasionally bite really, really hard. :) They're a kick to watch, however. :)

[Az]

8. They are probably being driven out of their habitat

By us.