Have you ever come across a video and wondered, how did they get that animal to do that?! That was my first thought when I saw this video of a raccoon and his best dog friend paddleboarding. I know people paddleboard with their dogs all the time, but I was surprised that the raccoon, who’s named Scippie, likes it too!
Scippie’s human posted a video to Instagram in mid-August of Scippie and their best buddy, a Shepherd/sled dog mix, taking a ride. Both of them are standing on the paddleboard checking out the scenery. Neither of them appears to be nervous, scared, or even antsy about floating on top of the water…I’m guessing they must be used to it and that they both enjoy it!
Scippie’s human said in the caption that they’re the captains of the ship, and they’re adorable ones at that! I wasn’t the only one impressed with the animals’ skills on the paddleboard. Most commenters simply said how cool it was to see the animals hanging out like it was no big deal and how cute the two are. A few others had more to say like @momontais who shared, “While following this account for a few months, Scippie has been the following: A mechanic, a detective, a digger man, and now a captain! Scippie is truly talented!” and @taschaglashaus pointed out, “How proud he stands! Captain Scippie!”
Related: Raccoon Expresses Affection Toward Dog in Hilariously Aggressive Way
Do Raccoons Make Good Pets?
If you’re like me, you might be considering getting a pet raccoon after seeing this! My dog needs a friend, and maybe a raccoon would make a good one for her to pal around with. My daughter also thinks raccoons are adorable (she lovingly refers to them as ‘trash pandas’) and would love to have one around. But do they make good pets? As with all animals, it depends on who you ask.
WebMD isn’t a fan of the idea of bringing them inside and making them pets since they can be unpredictable (even aggressive and violent) and can carry some nasty diseases. They say, “Owning a pet raccoon might be more trouble than it’s worth, and most animal experts don’t recommend keeping them as pets.”
Raccoons can be very loving and affectionate towards humans, but they may not be a great pet for every family. They are known for being highly intelligent animals and use their paws like little hands. They love trying new foods…they’ll eat just about anything that you offer them (hence the ‘trash panda’ moniker.) They can problem solve and have good memories. They’re too smart for their own good and will keep you on your toes. Domesticated raccoons can be housetrained, especially if they are raised from when they are babies. They love to cuddle and snuggle, but they also like to play and can be unpredictable and mischievous. It would be like having a toddler in the house!
Currently, you can legally own a raccoon in just 16 states. They carry some very bad diseases, and a bite can cause medical issues since they can carry rabies and other types of infections. Before rushing out to buy one, do your research to find out if you can have one in your state. Many states require permits and special training to keep this exotic pet. I think they’re cute, but I’m going to keep watching cute videos of them online instead of bringing one home.
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