Watch as he saves a raccoon that tumbled into his pool!
The disaster was narrowly adverted for this raccoon family. While they were strolling through a backyard, one of the kits tumbled into the chilly pool! The rest of the family scurried to get him out of the cold water.
Fortunately, the homeowner saw the event and came to the rescue. With pool net in hand, the raccoon was scooped out of the pool! Raccoons usually love pools in Houston, but the cold water made this situation dicey.
Why Raccoons Love Pools in Houston
While it’s common lore that raccoons like to wash their food in water before they eat it, scientists have now discovered that they use water for a different purpose. Water makes the pads of a raccoon’s paws more sensitive to what they are holding. The process is called “dousing.” When a raccoon is dousing, it helps them gather information about the food’s texture and ingredients; it helps them distinguish between a tasty morsel and something best set aside.
Raccoon forepaws are covered in tiny spikes that act as sensors. Because more than 60% of a raccoon’s cerebral cortex is dedicated to sensory perception, their hands are incredibly informative tools. Since raccoons are nocturnal, this is especially useful to them as it allows them to “see” their food through this heightened sense of touch.
Raccoon Poop in Pools
If a raccoon has decided that your pool is safe, they will return regularly. In addition to using the pool to douse, they will poop there too. Raccoons pooping in a pool is not unusual, and you will most likely find their poop in the shallow end, on the steps.
Raccoon poop looks similar to dog poop. It is dark, has broken ends, and will most likely contain seeds and berries, as this is much of what raccoons eat.
Health Risks of Raccoon Poop in Pools
If you find raccoon poop in or around your pool, the pool must be cleaned immediately and thoroughly. Their feces often contain the eggs of a worm called Baylisascaris procyonis, which can infect humans, particularly children, causing severe neurological illness. These eggs can be swallowed while swimming in an infected pool. Unfortunately, while the chlorine in your pool will kill much of what can harm you, it does not kill these eggs.