I'd still be scared of the worms, honestly. I know other domesticated animals carry parasites, but that one is particularly scary to me. (Also maybe I've chased the little shits out of too many campsites. If I tried to snuggle one--even a domesticated one!--I think I'd be scared the whole time that they'd eat my face.)
Baylisascaris procyonis is really widespread in wild raccoon populations. It's not dangerous in most situations where you're not around their feces, but if you're unlucky enough to have a raccoon get into your attic through the soffit, for example, you've got a major problem on your hands. The worms aren't easy to treat, and they can cause serious neurological and vision problems. Anyway, I'm torn on racoons, because they're mostly cute, but they're also diseased and mean! I'd need a lot of reassurance before I'd get one as a pet.
I'd still be scared of the worms, honestly. I know other domesticated animals carry parasites, but that one is particularly scary to me. (Also maybe I've chased the little shits out of too many campsites. If I tried to snuggle one--even a domesticated one!--I think I'd be scared the whole time that they'd eat my face.)
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Baylisascaris procyonis is really widespread in wild raccoon populations. It's not dangerous in most situations where you're not around their feces, but if you're unlucky enough to have a raccoon get into your attic through the soffit, for example, you've got a major problem on your hands. The worms aren't easy to treat, and they can cause serious neurological and vision problems. Anyway, I'm torn on racoons, because they're mostly cute, but they're also diseased and mean! I'd need a lot of reassurance before I'd get one as a pet.