Raccoons live all over California

 Why is this important to know?

It's especially important if you are a petite older woman who likes to walk her poodle or chihuahua at night after it's dark.

Raccoons are nocturnal which means they sleep in culverts and drains in cities and in country cities during the day and come out at night.

If you see only one raccoon it isn't usually a problem if you are strong in your walk and demeanor UNLESS this is an alpha male in his prime.

But, that isn't what I'm writing about. The problem for older petite women who have a small dog is that raccoons often hunts in family packs sort of like how many species of monkey do too. When I was in Asia outside of being afraid of Rhinos and Tigers I was always very afraid of monkey family packs because they were always unpredictable and deadly. The same is true of Raccoons. So, never underestimate a family of raccoons just like you would never underestimate a family of monkeys, equally deadly if you underestimate what you are actually dealing with.

Also, when a family of raccoons sees a small dog at night they think of "DINNER!" and they might not see the leash or know that you would defend your dog (which means you are going to be in the hospital for awhile and your dog may or may not survive this at all.

Which is why I say, 'If you are a petite older woman don't walk your small dog at night because at least once or twice a year we have in the newspaper an article about someone who did this and lost and was in the hospital and their pet either was eaten or not but either way wasn't in very good shape and the woman was in the hospital usually for several weeks recovering from Raccoon bites.

And worst of all, Raccoons can carry black plague just like most California squirrels do to. And Raccoons can also carry Rabies as well. So, you don't want to be bitten by any of them even once!