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MY Opinion of the present situation
How we can solve this problem?
Why are raccoons considered an invasive species in Spain and what bad effects does it have in Spain?
Other characteristics
Food
The habitat of the Raccoons
Physical description of the Racoons
location invaded
What is the  original location of the raccoons?
  • Fernando Gallego Dontsov
                     3ºD
invasive species of spain
raccoons
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raccoons

invasive species of spain

  • Fernando Gallego Dontsov
3ºD

What is the original location of the raccoons?

location invaded

Physical description of the Racoons

The habitat of the Raccoons

Food

Other characteristics

Why are raccoons considered an invasive species in Spain and what bad effects does it have in Spain?

How we can solve this problem?

MY Opinion of the present situation

The Racoons are primarily in North America, from Canada to Panama. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, marshes, and urban areas. Raccoons are highly adaptable and can thrive in many different environments. They are also opportunistic foragers and eat a wide variety of foods, which helps them to survive in different habitats. However, raccoons have been introduced to many other parts of the world, including Europe and Asia, where they are considered an invasive species.

The story of this small mammal began in Madrid at the beginning of the century. Some residents of the municipality of Rivas Vaciamadrid, in the east of the region, had decided to bring these small furry animals from North America to try to domesticate them and have them as pets. Their aspirations, however, went wrong. It is unknown whether the raccoons fled the houses on their own or if the owners abandoned them to their fate when they realized they were untamable, but the fact is that in 2003 traces of this animal were detected in the Southeast Regional Park of Madrid. Later, it was known that they correspond to two females. They were the first two females found in Spain. In 2018 (the last year with available data), only in Madrid 814 specimens were captured. And the fact is that these mammals are resilient, very intelligent and reproduce exponentially. In fact, a single mother can have four offspring from a single birth, and only a year later, those offspring can reproduce again.

They have a distinctive appearance, with their most notable feature being a bandit-like mask of black fur that covers their eyes. Their fur is typically grayish-brown, and they have a bushy tail with black and white rings. They have sharp claws on their front paws, which they use for climbing and foraging for food. Adult raccoons typically weigh between 10-30 pounds and have a body length of around 2-3 feet, with a tail length of around 1-2 feet. They are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, and they have a very good sense of touch and dexterity, which enables them to open containers and manipulate objects with ease.

They are known for their adaptability and ability to live in a variety of habitats. They are found in both rural and urban areas, and they can live in forests, swamps, and even cities. They are able to adapt to different environments and can be found in a variety of habitats such as woodlands, swamps, marshes, and mountainous regions. They are also found in suburban and urban areas, where they can thrive in parks, gardens, and even in the attics and crawl spaces of houses. Raccoons prefer to live near a water source, such as a stream, lake or pond and they are also found in areas with a good source of food such as gardens, orchards, and garbage dumps. They are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities, which allows them to find food and shelter in human-populated areas.

Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and their diet is varied and can change depending on the season and location. They are considered omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal-based foods. They have a good sense of touch and dexterity which enables them to open containers and manipulate objects with ease to access food. Their diet typically includes: Fruits, such as berries, acorns, and persimmons Vegetables, such as corn, sweet potatoes, and melons Fish, crayfish, and other aquatic animals when found near water sources Eggs and insects Small mammals such as mice, voles, and squirrels They are also known to scavenge for food in trash cans, dumpsters, and other human-made food sources. In urban and suburban areas, raccoons may become reliant on human-provided food sources such as pet food, birdseed, and garbage, leading to conflicts with humans.

Bandit-like mask: Raccoons have a distinctive black band of fur around their eyes that gives them the appearance of a bandit. Grayish-brown fur: The fur of raccoons is typically grayish-brown in color and is thick and soft to the touch. Bushy tail with black and white rings: Raccoons have a bushy tail that is typically about 1-2 feet long and has black and white rings. Sharp claws: Raccoons have sharp claws on their front paws that they use for climbing and foraging for food. Omnivorous diet: Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and are able to eat a wide variety of food, including fruits, vegetables, fish, small mammals, and insects. Intelligence and problem-solving abilities: Raccoons are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities which enables them to find food and shelter in human-populated areas. Adaptability: Raccoons are very adaptable animals and can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, swamps, and even cities. Nocturnal animals: Raccoons are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night. Good swimmers: Raccoons are good swimmers and can be found near water sources such as streams, lakes, or ponds. Reproduce exponentially: Raccoons are resilient, very intelligent and reproduce exponentially, a single mother can have four offspring from a single birth, and only a year later, those offspring can reproduce again.

Raccoons are considered an invasive species in Spain because they were introduced to the country by humans, specifically by some residents of the municipality of Rivas Vaciamadrid in the early 20th century, who brought them over from North America with the intention of domesticating them as pets. However, the animals either escaped or were abandoned, and eventually established a population in the wild. The presence of raccoons in Spain has had several negative effects, including: Ecological impact: Raccoons can have a significant impact on the local ecosystem by competing with native animals for food and habitat. They can also prey on native species, such as small mammals, reptiles, and birds, which can lead to a decline in their populations. Agricultural damage: Raccoons are known to damage crops and gardens, which can be a significant problem for farmers and gardeners. They have been known to raid orchards and vineyards, causing damage to fruit and grapevine. Disease transmission: Raccoons can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and other animals. For example, they can be carriers of raccoon roundworm, a parasitic infection that can cause serious health problems in humans if contracted. Property damage: Raccoons can cause damage to buildings and other structures, particularly when they seek shelter in attics or crawl spaces. They can also cause damage to lawns and gardens by digging for food. Conflict with humans: Raccoons can cause conflicts with humans, particularly when they become reliant on human-provided food sources such as pet food, birdseed, and garbage. In addition to these negative effects, it is important to note that in Spain, as well as in other countries, it is illegal to release non-native animals into the wild, and it is also illegal to trap and relocate wildlife without permission.

. There are several methods that can be used to address the problem of raccoons as an invasive species in Spain, including: Eradication: Eradication is the complete removal of the invasive species from the ecosystem, it is a difficult task and usually not feasible in the case of raccoons. Control: Control is the reduction of the invasive species population to a level that no longer causes significant negative impacts on the ecosystem or human activities. this can be done using various methods such as habitat modification, repellents, trapping and removal, fertility control, and professional help. Monitoring: Monitoring the populations of raccoons and their distribution in the ecosystem is important to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures and to identify new areas where the species is spreading. Research: Research on the biology, ecology and behavior of raccoons in Spain will help to understand the problems caused by raccoons and to develop effective control methods. Education and Awareness: Raising awareness among the public and stakeholders of the negative impacts of raccoons and the importance of taking actions to reduce attraction and feeding of wild animals will also play a key role in controlling their population. It is important to remember that controlling the population of invasive species is a complex task and requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the specific characteristics and behaviors of the species in question, as well as the characteristics and needs of the ecosystem where it is found.

In my opinion, I think that the issue of invasive species should be taken more seriously since it can damage the ecosystem and do a lot of damage to other species. But the raccoons are not to blame, we humans have it for leaving them in inappropriate places and it should be as peaceful as possible and not harm any raccoon.

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