The sun has set, and in the fading light a family of raccoons, parents and four kits, comes cautiously out of the woods. Their masked faces make them look like little burglars, which they often are. Tonight they head for a tree loaded with ripe plums. The kits remain on the ground while the parents climb up and start shaking branches, causing a shower of plums to fall. While the kits are eating them, the parents continue shaking branches until the ground is covered with fruit. Then they climb down and join the dinner.
This fruit dinner is a real treat. They eat mostly frogs, crayfish, turtle eggs and clams taken out of shallow waters. Birds’ eggs are also a favorite. They will run off from a chicken coop with an egg in their teeth without breaking it until they reach safety. Sweet corn is another special treat. Many cornfields have been ruined by their stripping ears from the stalks.
Although they weigh only about 25 pounds, dogs are often surprised at raccoons’ fighting ability. They do not hesitate to attack a dog two or three times their own size. When being chased by a dog, they are clever at escaping. They will wade in water, run along fence tops, climb trees, backtrack and leap down a hillside, all to break the scent trail the dog is following. Occasionally a raccoon may let a dog chase it into a lake; then it will grab the dog by its neck and force its head under water until it drowns.
In spite of its sometimes nasty nature, a raccoon is a pretty animal. It has a fox-like face with a black mask around jet-black eyes, erect ears, a black, button nose with whiskers, and a bushy, ringed tail. It is also very smart and soon discovers how to open latches on chicken coops, pry up garbage can lids, unscrew bottle caps, and even open refrigerators if given the chance.
This animal is another of the wonders of God’s creation. He has given it many life-sustaining instincts and also an intelligence which allows it to learn things necessary for its survival. It is found both in the woods of the United States and Canada, and in the deserts of Mexico and South America. Its life reminds us of the verse in the Bible: “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. . . . The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their [food] in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing” (Psalm 145:9,15-169The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalm 145:9)
15The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15‑16)).
We think of these provisions of the Creator in connection with every creature, but it is also good to remember this prayer that should be in the heart of every boy and girl: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. . . . O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:12,1412So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
14O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:14)).
SEPTEMBER 8, 1996
ML-09/08/1996