To be fair, raccoons give (and take) gifts. I think they consider anything shiny or colorful you leave out accessible to them a gift. My wife was attempting to feed neighborhood cats and we did get some, but we also got raccoons. They took a bright red bowl we were feeding them out of. In return, we’ve received several shiny rocks and a spoon.
But when it’s 1:30am and two of them jump out of a dumpster at you as you’re taking out the trash after a night with friends it feels more like a standoff and your trash is a mafia-style bribe
To be fair, raccoons give (and take) gifts. I think they consider anything shiny or colorful you leave out accessible to them a gift. My wife was attempting to feed neighborhood cats and we did get some, but we also got raccoons. They took a bright red bowl we were feeding them out of. In return, we’ve received several shiny rocks and a spoon.
Raccoons giveth, and raccoons taketh away.
The magpie of mammals.
That sounds lovely! I would like to trade gifts with racoons!
But when it’s 1:30am and two of them jump out of a dumpster at you as you’re taking out the trash after a night with friends it feels more like a standoff and your trash is a mafia-style bribe
But what will be my mystery gift in return?
I guess in the moment my gift was that I didn’t have to get a rabies shot? Time will tell if/when I see those critters again.
I’d prefer magpies.