Why the Mask?

Have you ever wondered why raccoons wear that adorable black “mask” around their eyes? Check out this cool info from National Geographic.

Photo Credit: Clinton & Charles Robertson from RAF Lakenheath, UK & San Marcos, TX, USA & UK [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Have you ever wondered why raccoons wear that adorable black “mask” around their eyes? Check out this cool info from National Geographic.

According to 2014 research conducted by Suzanne MacDonald, a psychology professor at York University near Toronto and a National Geographic Society explorer, raccoons use their distinctive masks to recognize each other.

Other researchers believe the dark fur around raccoons’ eyes help reduce glare to enhance their night vision. That’s particularly important for a nocturnal creature who always seems to be hungry.

Sources: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/06/raccoon-climbing-building-intelligence-facts-animals/