Rocky Raccoon gets a Makeover at McVay Elementary School

8/24/2012

Representatives from the Inniswood Metro Park Education Department spoke at an assembly to give students information about raccoons.

The Rocky Raccoon mascot at McVay Elementary School is getting a makeover. Students and staff there want him to look like a “21st century pioneer.” The current mascot is depicted wearing a raccoon-skin hat which somehow seemed… well, just not right. Before students could come up with drawings for consideration, a team of experts from the Inniswood Metro Park Education Department was brought in as a learning opportunity to teach them about raccoons. The pupils gathered in the common area and learned, among other things, that raccoons are nocturnal and they have amazing night vision; that they have a highly developed tactile sense with sensitive, human-like forepaws used to eat fruits, seeds, nuts, eggs and plants; and that they are good climbers who make their dens in trees or at the tops of houses or buildings, high above the ground. Most live for around five years in the wild but some, in captivity, have lived as long as 20 years. They also learned that although raccoons are cute, they should not be approached in the wild as they can be carriers of disease.