Got a massive case of The Doomies today. If anyone's got anything good or hopeful to share, it would be greatly appreciated.
@zebratron2084 There's a bunch of people on birdsite learning today that raccoons will chirr in a long manner that they characterize as purring, so that's extremely good.
@Austin_Dern I definitely think any display of potentially advanced communication skills among procyonids is a hopeful sign, 'cause lordy are we ready for them to take over :>
@Austin_Dern That reminds me that the Audubon Zoo has reopened for limited visitors. Peg and I should really go down and pay respects to the "captive*" raccoons.
(*They've got such a good scam going and they know it. I have never seen happier, fitter raccoons and their enclosure is immaculate. Which has to take some SKILL for a raccoon warden...)
@zebratron2084 Oh I can imagine. The Singapore Zoo had a great raccoon enclosure, with about a dozen there. They were a joy to watch, and it was great hearing the audience pronouncing "raccoon" in Malay, Indian, Indonesian, Australian, and Thai accents.
(Also fun: the squirrel enclosure was nearby, and you could hear people saying "squirrel" in variations of the British "squee-rell" sound.)
@zebratron2084 Oh absolutely, yes.
This has come along with a lot of petting raccoon heads and bellies, which is good public service on the part of the hewmons.