Adorable Baby Racoon Enjoying a Bath Has Everybody Smiling
Have you ever seen a baby raccoon take a bath? I hadn't, but thanks to A Pink Raccoon I have now! This baby raccoon named Elby loves playing in the water. Her mom posted a video at the end of April of the tiny raccoon taking a bath in the family's bathtub, and it's beyond cute!
Not only does Elby love splashing around and playing with her toys, but she has a little pacifier that she likes to suck on. If you're into ASMR, make sure your sound is on so you can hear Elby's little splishy splashes as she swims around!
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How cute is this whole video? I have never been a fan of raccoons before but now I want one! Elby lives with mom in Florida where she is legally permitted and owned (they're considered an exotic pet, and you can't own a raccoon in every state). They share their daily adventures on Instagram, and it looks like they both adore each other. In fact, Elby's mom says in her bio that Elby stole her heart and now she's coming for the rest of ours. I think it's safe to say she got them all!
Related: Dedicated Mama Raccoon Sweetly Tends to Her New Babies in Precious Video
Do Raccoons Make Good Pets?
Now that we all want a baby raccoon of our own, I thought I'd do some research to see if they really make good pets. WebMD weighed in on the topic and it doesn't sound like they're fans of the idea. They say, "owning a pet raccoon might be more trouble than it’s worth, and most animal experts don’t recommend keeping them as pets."
Raccoons are known for being highly intelligent animals. They can problem solve and have good memories, and use their paws like little hands, much like Elby did in her bath.
Some of the pros to owning a pet raccoon are that domesticated raccoons can be housetrained and can be affectionate, especially if they are raised from when they are babies. They love to cuddle and snuggle, but they also like to play and can be unpredictable and mischievous. They're natural climbers and love to explore (they can open doors and cabinets) and require a lot of uncaged room to roam around in.
On the other hand, raccoons can be moody, and their temperament can change in the blink of an eye. They can be aggressive and will bite. They are naturally curious and find themselves getting into lots of trouble as they explore and look for things to do. But the worst thing about them is that they carry some very bad diseases. WebMD shared, "Raccoons can carry rabies, and there’s no approved vaccination for rabies, so if your raccoon bites or scratches someone, they may be confiscated and euthanized for testing and as a safety precaution. Raccoons can carry and transmit distemper, Salmonella, and leptospirosis, as well as parasites like fleas, to humans. Baylisascaris is caused by roundworms from raccoons and can be deadly in people." No thank you!
It’s currently legal to own a raccoon in about 16 states. Before rushing out to buy one, do your research to find out if you can have one in your state. As for me, I think I'll just keep watching cute videos of them online.
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