Thursday, October 7, 2010

Bandit mask

oh yeah, they look very cute and all, with their blackish coloration on the front of the face resembling a bandit's mask, and their black-ringed tails... but these raccoons like to rummage around in the waste receptacles (i really like that word, it was in the rental contract we signed) at our perfect apartment complex. living here comes with many pleasures (24 hr gym, a pool in the summer, free internet at the club house, a movie room), but also with many rules (the perfect green lawns should stay that way, so no one can park their bike outside, children cannot forget their toys on the grounds and if you have a balcony, only official outdoor furniture is allowed on it, besides, you cannot put your name or whatever on your front door or paint your own walls). but what about the raccoons?! the first time i heard something around the large wastebin, i thought it was a mouse or so. next time we saw 3 raccoons staring at us while driving past, and one took time to pose for me (see above). 2 days ago i was about to throw my trashbag into the container, when i suddenly saw 2 eyes staring at me from within, my goodness, it made me scream! i had almost thrown it into its face and already was imagining what would happen next; the raccoon would swiftly catch the bag and throw it right back in my face... and thus tim had to come and throw away the trash for me....
indeed, raccoons are not that nice, just read this: "A raccoon typically attacks birds by biting the head or upper neck area. The heads of adult birds are usually bitten off and left some distance from the body. Raccoons have been known to mutilate poultry in cages by pulling heads or legs off."