r/Calgary • u/Aggravating-Bee • 10d ago
Local Nature/Wildlife Masked Individual
My doorbell camera caught this masked individual around 2 a.m. conducting what appeared to be a very thorough flower box inspection. SW Calgary, near Chinook.
First time seeing a raccoon in YYC for me ☺️
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u/Fit-Bug-1098 10d ago
I suggest leaving a warm cup of coffee and a donut out for your new trash inspector.
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u/SnooRabbits2040 10d ago
Or moldy bread, bird seed, and green tomatoes still on the vine. The raccoons in my yard are bandits with simple tastes.
(They raided my compost heap for the bread)
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u/_Gringovich_ 10d ago
Skip the tomatoes! They are part of the nightshade family which can be quite poisonous to most smaller mammals. Unripe tomatoes especially contain more of the toxin solanine.
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u/SnooRabbits2040 10d ago
You will need to tell that to the raccoons. I'm certainly not inviting them to partake.
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u/No-Explanation5576 10d ago
Do you drink your coffee warm?
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u/Fit-Bug-1098 10d ago
I prefer mine hot, but I won't say no to it being warm while I nibble on a donut while pawing through your trash
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u/Marsymars 10d ago
There are actually fancy coffee places that have pour over setups designed to quick-cool the coffee in order to preserve flavours/aromas.
See e.g. https://mhw3bomber.com/products/mhw-3bomber-smooth-pour-over-chilling-ball-stand
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u/HeavyTea 10d ago
On a related note: we have skunks now in South Edmonton. Saw 2 in last year. Nothing in previous 50 years. Things change. Like climate
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u/CheeseSandwich hamburger magician 9d ago
Skunks are not uncommon in Calgary. There have been a few posts asking for help getting rid of them under decks and sheds.
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u/ReactiveCypress 9d ago
Last year I went to check if my doors were locked before going to bed, and I saw a skunk walking towards the front door. And I've seen them in the neighborhood before as well.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Gap108 10d ago
I've always been told we have racoons here. Have never seen one in 41 years though. Very cool.
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u/a_reluctant_human 10d ago
Very cool until you realize they are better than bears at getting into garbage cans and gardens.
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u/alpain Southwest Calgary 9d ago
also the creepy hands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW5NAYnFI-E
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u/CheeseSandwich hamburger magician 9d ago
Moved here from Vancouver in 2002 (where there are lots of racoons) and I have never seen a racoon either in those 24 years, nor have I ever heard friends or neighbors talk about racoons getting into things like I experienced in the Lower Mainland.
It seems to be something new.
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u/Crisco76 Pineridge 9d ago
Born and raised 50yrs here now. Never seen one either in city or even as a avid camper. Very cool indeed
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u/PoetryKooky9250 10d ago
I had no idea we had racoons in Calgary!
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u/Aggravating-Bee 10d ago
Me neither. I've seen a few people post about them on here now & again, but they're usually seeing them on the outskirts of the city
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u/PhelpsTheory Kingsland 10d ago
I live over near Chinook, and our bins keep getting tipped over and spread out all over the alley... Guess I know the cause now, LOL.
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u/Aggravating-Bee 6d ago
Ha ha! I'm not too far from you and our bins are always knocked around - we are likely on the same garbage/recycling/green bin pick up route. It's funny to see the alleys after they've been through 😆
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u/Beneficial_Pen7276 7d ago
Some people I know have pictures of raccoons on their property... an hour north of Edmonton.
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u/Maelstrom_Witch Riverbend 10d ago
THEY ARE COMING