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Local Wildlife: Raccoon LbNA #43702

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 29, 2008
Location:
City:Brewster
County:Putnam
State:New York
Boxes:1
Planted by:Karen & K9s
Found by: schemera family
Last found:Aug 2, 2016
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Sep 29, 2008
LOCAL WILDLIFE: RACCOON

Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most widespread species, the Common Raccoon (P. lotor), is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are considerably lesser-known.
Genetic studies have shown that the closest relatives of the raccoon are the ring-tailed cats and cacomistles.

Raccoons are unusual, for their thumbs (though not opposable) enable them to open many closed containers (such as garbage cans and doors). They are omnivores with a reputation for being clever and mischievous; their intelligence and dexterity equip them to survive in a wide range of environments and are one of the few medium-to-large-sized animals that have enlarged its range since human encroachment began (another is the coyote). Raccoon hind feet are plantigrade similar to a human's. Raccoons are sometimes considered vermin or a nuisance, and are common in campgrounds of North America. Many people are surprised when a creature that they usually think of as cute or cuddly raids their campsite at night and makes odd growls and fights viciously over scraps of food left out by campers. They have also readily adapted to urban environments scavenging garbage bins and other food-sources.

Although there is some variation depending on the species in question, raccoons range from 20-40 inches in length (including the tail) and weigh between 10 and 35 lbs. The raccoon's tail ranges from 8 to 16 inches in length. Male raccoons are generally larger than females. A baby raccoon is called a kit.

Raccoons can live up to 16 years in the wild, though most do not make it through their second year. A raccoon that survives past its youth will live an average of 5 years. Primary causes of mortality include humans (hunting, trapping, cars) and malnutrition.

DIRECTIONS: I684 to Rte 22 North. Continue on Rte 22 to the first traffic light. Make a right here on Milltown Road. Pass Milltown Rural Cemetery (There’s a box hidden here) and turn onto the second road on the right, which is Old Milltown Road, and is also known as Reservoir Road. This is a dirt road, and it runs along the Croton Reservoir, which is a pretty spot where I like to walk my dogs.

TO FIND THE LETTERBOX: Drive on this road until you come to the first parking lot on the left where you can pull completely off of the road. Get out and walk back to the road and turn left, following the guard rail that runs along both sides of the road. At the end of the guard rail on the left, you will see a sign for Boat Area 8. There are two large slabs of rock next to the sign. From this point, continue on the road for 17 paces (1 pace = 2 steps). Look up to your left for a large tree growing out of the rocks. The letterbox is behind this tree, but don’t worry, you don’t have to be a mountain goat to get to it. Turn around and go back the way you came for 13 paces. You’ll be right before the Boat Area 8 sign. On your right you will see a deer trail that leads up the hill. Follow this trail to the back of the tree. The box is nestled at its roots, covered with rocks. Please cover with same rocks, being careful to cover the box completely. Cover area with leaves and debris. It is best to come before 3:00 pm on a week day, as this area sees a lot of commuter traffic trying to dodge the traffic on Rte 22 at this time.
Also look for Local Wildlife: Coyote. It is so close.

If you continue on this road the way you were going, it will come out on Route 22 where you’ll turn left to go to I684.

Added 3/09: A large tree behind the letterbox was recently cut down, so the area now has a cut up tree trunk and lots of branches and tree bark around. I was pleased to see that the letterbox is still nestled in its spot, but watch your step over all of this debri.