When they dip their paws in the water, they are trying to gather more sensory data, Treehugger reports. ![]() Instead, this dipping behavior, called dousing, is because of the sensitive nerves in their front paws, which enhance their sense of touch. In fact, raccoons go through the same motions with their food even when there is no water to dip it in. But this behavior isn't really about cleanliness at all. Raccoons have a seemingly odd habit of washing their food before they eat it, dipping it in water before consuming it, Treehugger reports. Even their scientific name, Procyon lotor, is a nod to this noteworthy behavior, with lotor meaning "the washerman" in Latin, according to Treehugger. The term raccoon is derived from the native Powhatan word " arahkunem," which means "animals that scratches with its hands," PBS reports. They have four times to five times more sensory cells in their paws than most mammals, and about 75% of the part of the brain that processes sensory input is dedicated to touch, according to National Geographic.Įven their name is a nod to their highly skilled front paws. Although they cannot hold an object with one hand because they lack thumbs, they are able to hold an object with both hands and manipulate it.Īdding to their dexterity is that they have an excellent sense of touch. They do, however, have five long fingers and five long nails. Although their front paws are very adept, raccoons do not have opposable thumbs like humans and some primates do, Northern Woodlands reports. Many people have learned the hard way that they can use their front paws to open doors, untie knots and unlock gates, giving them a reputation for being mischief makers. Raccoons are pretty crafty when it comes to getting into garbage cans, bird feeders and all manner of containers where they might find a tasty meal inside, and they have their front paws to thank for this skill. ![]() Read on to learn much more about these clever critters.
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