Thoroughly established in town, and the mammal most likely to be met at a dumpster, a campground, or
a poorly closed cooler. Statewide in Texas, 4 to 13 kg, with the familiar black mask and ringed
tail; males average 880 mm in total length (NSRL). Two details from the NSRL account matter on a
barrier island. First, raccoons are seldom found far from water, and NSRL says water availability
is an important influence on their distribution — on South Padre that means the town's irrigation,
drains and marina edges as much as the bay. Second, they are highly responsive to artificial food:
NSRL records that raccoons have adapted to feeding at deer feeders, with local population increases
following. Substitute "unsecured beachfront bin" for "deer feeder" and you have the island's
situation. Their diet is over half plant matter across a Texas year, then insects, then small
mammals, then crayfish and crabs, then reptiles and amphibians, then birds (NSRL). Raccoons also
carry rabies, leptospirosis, tularemia and Chagas disease, which is reason enough not to hand-feed
one. Their role at sea turtle nests is dealt with in 02-sea-turtles.md.
Observe responsibly
Wildlife, tides and access conditions change. Keep a respectful distance, do not feed wildlife, stay out of dunes and marked nesting areas, and use current official rules before fishing or handling any catch.