Iowa Creatures of the Night #5-The Raccoon Mystery Cache

This cache is temporarily unavailable.

a1bob66: This series of caches is too far gone to repair so I will plan a revival. Time for a new start on this trail.
Thanks for the fun.

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Hidden : 8/20/2014
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Night Cache

While out walking the trail at night you will want to keep a close eye on your granola bars, these masked bandits will make off with them if they can. Be sure to follow the night cache directions below to have a successful cache experience.

Iowa Creatures of the Night Series

#5 The Raccoon

Bandit-masked raccoons are a familiar sight just about everywhere, because they will eat just about anything. These ubiquitous mammals are found in forests, marshes, prairies, and even in cities. They are adaptable and use their dexterous front paws and long fingers to find and feast on a wide variety of fare.

In the natural world, raccoons snare a lot of their meals in the water. These nocturnal foragers use lightning-quick paws to grab crayfish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. On land, they pluck mice and insects from their hiding places and raid nests for tasty eggs. Raccoons also eat fruit and plants—including those grown in human gardens and farms. They will even open garbage cans to dine on the contents.

These ring-tailed animals are equally opportunistic when it comes to choosing a denning site. They may inhabit a tree hole, fallen log, or a house's attic. Females have one to seven cubs in early summer. The young raccoons often spend the first two months or so of their lives high in a tree hole. Later, mother and children move to the ground when the cubs begin to explore on their own.

Raccoons in the northern parts of their range gorge themselves in spring and summer to store up body fat. They then spend much of the winter asleep in a den. There are six other species of raccoons, in addition to the familiar northern (North American) raccoon. Most other species live on tropical islands.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/raccoon/

FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RACCOONS

• The raccoon’s scientific name, Procyon lotor, means “washer dog” although it is a closer relative to the bear family.

• Raccoons have a large array of vocalizations. Scientists have determined that they can make over 51 different sounds! They purr, whistle, growl, hiss, scream and even whinny.

• Raccoons have been kept as pets (President Coolidge and his wife had one named Rebecca), and while young, seem happy to be in human company. As they mature, especially during mating season, they can become increasingly destructive and aggressive.

• A raccoon’s hands are so nimble they can unlace a shoe, unlatch a cage and deftly retrieve coins as thin as dimes from your shirt pocket.

• In spring, female raccoons give birth to three or four young. The baby raccoon’s eyes do not open until 20 days or so after birth. It won’t have rings on its tail, or a mask around its eyes, until it’s older. Baby raccoons stay in the den for eight to ten weeks. The mother raccoon is very protective of her babies—she won’t even let the father near them.

• On the mammal IQ scale raccoons rank higher than cats and just below monkeys.

• Christopher Columbus is the first individual we know of to have written about the species.

• The raccoon has the ability to rotate their hind feet a full 180 degrees to allow for their ability to climb down from trees head first.

• The word raccoon, derived from the Algonquin Indian word “arakun” means “he scratches with hands”.

• Raccoons are more likely to be killed by an automobile than by another predator.

• A raccoon can run at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/raccoon-nation/raccoon-fact-sheet/7553/

Night Cache Instructions


1) The posted coordinates are the starting location.
2) The start location will be marked with two(2) reflective markers.

Start=2


3) The trail will be marked with one reflective marker.

Trail=1


4) The final location will be marked with three(3) reflective markers.

Final=3


5) Use your flashlight to locate the start markers(2). Look down the trail withyour flashlight for the next marker(1). Follow the trail of markers until you find the final markers(3). Find the container and sign the log.
6) The coordinates for the final location is posted in the waypoints to aid navigation and direction.

Night Cache Notes


#5-The Raccoon-All trail markers and the container are on the Right (North) side of the trail.
1) This cache is recommended to be found in the dark.
2) You should pack good flashlights with extra batteries.
3) Safety First. Always bring a friend on a night cache.
4) Give yourself plenty of time and be aware of the trail use times.
5) The markers for this cache are all on the same side of the trail.
6) This cache is on public use property and all rules and laws are to be followed.
7) Cache at your own risk.
8) The final coordinates are listed in the waypoints to allow daytime discovery of this cache.

Please remember that all caches in the Jackson County Conservation Areas are CITO locations.

As always, be safe, be courteous, be respectful and have fun.

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