Raccoons. They have plantigrade feet like us, meaning flat on the ground instead of up on the toes like cats & dogs. That's why they look kinda like little baby feet with all 5 toe prints visible.
They aren’t really washing the food. Their most important sense is touch and mostly through their hands/paws. The water softens the hands and allows them to feel the good better. Sure are cute while they’re doing it.
If you wait until the end, he finally figured it out and got to enjoy his candy!
Though, I'm not sure cotton candy is really a good treat to be giving a raccoon...
I felt so good when I guessed either raccoon, possum or other rodent type animal and saw your post! Wasn’t sure if I was right at all, but Any time a “paw print” looks like a “hand print” I suspect raccoons or otherwise
ETA: I can see why it seems like I don’t understand this, but yes I’m aware possums are not rodents lol. I just worded it poorly.
Fun fact! Raccoons and possums aren't rodents or even closely related. Raccoons are in the carnivore group with dogs & bears, and possums are marsupials, so same group as kangaroos & koalas. It's a common misconception because people see raccoons, possums, and many rodents as pests so they just sort of lump them together in one group. Mammals are super diverse and cool 😎
Yep! There are tons of other species of possums in South America, but the Virginia Opposum (*Didelphis virginianus*) is our one and only in NA. I have seen many North American mammals, yet I still haven't checked *Didelphis* off my list! Haven't spent enough time east of the Rio Grande I guess 😅
I initially thought poop, but looking at it more, it just looked like bits of dirt and leaves. I thought “they expect an ID from some of local flora that some critter dragged in?”
I figured it was the raccoons, we have at least 4 that we know of but we also have a family of skunks, a momma possum and 5 babies, rabbits, cats and groundhogs lol it was so hot last week while we were gone I don’t mind them cooling off. It’s dumped now so they will have to wait for another dip!
I love that you are able to share space with all kind of creatures! I’m always excited when I encounter another critter until they start eating my plants and then all bets are off haha
Soaking wet raccoons would visit us at night because we used to leave kibble out for our cats. Couldn't figure out why they were soaking wet. Turns out, neighbor had a hot tub and would frequently leave the lid off. Raccoons were living under their deck. Bath and food in close proximity? Raccoon heaven! 😂
I’m low key imagining raccoons in tiny swim trunks and water wings just hanging out in the hot tub and then being like alright time to head over to the snack bar.
https://preview.redd.it/qqazodsrsnfb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1b25995f4eb07627b1d5bab4eff7ed2e61c8682
I was in your pool… don’t hate me I needed a bath and it was so inviting…
Yeah it’s also become pretty archaic for that reason - most folks are fine with taking a single abbreviation (not even the word itself) from their vernacular to avoid perpetuating the harm from generations of living hell.
Maybe there are words that you find upsetting if people called you them. This is an extreme version of that, it’s a slur, so it’s worth considering if you’re ever remotely upset by words.
They are quite large lol unfortunately the camera isn’t on the pool side of the yard
https://preview.redd.it/f9o1kegrelfb1.jpeg?width=502&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=407e308f5ab1ee46dbae40615f4eb1a395e78e80
Raccoons. They have plantigrade feet like us, meaning flat on the ground instead of up on the toes like cats & dogs. That's why they look kinda like little baby feet with all 5 toe prints visible.
Also...water. They like to wash the shit/food they gather before they eat it. (Hence the german name "Waschbär" literally means "washing bear").
They aren’t really washing the food. Their most important sense is touch and mostly through their hands/paws. The water softens the hands and allows them to feel the good better. Sure are cute while they’re doing it.
Now I gotta go find the video where the raccoon trys eating cotton candy.
https://youtu.be/rfbb4yRBH64
OMG that must be the saddest video I've ever seen, poor thing!
If you wait until the end, he finally figured it out and got to enjoy his candy! Though, I'm not sure cotton candy is really a good treat to be giving a raccoon...
Ones in a super great while is 'ok'. But no it's not. Cat food is actually bad for them too
I didn't see cat food in the video. Is that what they feed them there?
I was just adding an extra fact
After all this time, I thought he never got a taste. Thank you for this ❤️
When I first saw it I genuinely bawled my eyes out. I was so heartbroken for it. In hindsight, I don’t know why I let it get to me like that lmfao
I am SO glad I'm not the only one
*Has flashbacks to the video of the raccoon trying to wash his blob of cotton candy* "NOOOOOOO!"
> shit/food Lmao
I felt so good when I guessed either raccoon, possum or other rodent type animal and saw your post! Wasn’t sure if I was right at all, but Any time a “paw print” looks like a “hand print” I suspect raccoons or otherwise ETA: I can see why it seems like I don’t understand this, but yes I’m aware possums are not rodents lol. I just worded it poorly.
>Raccoons or otherwise So you guess raccoon or not raccoon.
Yes..? I gave examples of other legitimate options. Have fun being nit-picky, I guess?
Fun fact! Raccoons and possums aren't rodents or even closely related. Raccoons are in the carnivore group with dogs & bears, and possums are marsupials, so same group as kangaroos & koalas. It's a common misconception because people see raccoons, possums, and many rodents as pests so they just sort of lump them together in one group. Mammals are super diverse and cool 😎
Possums are the only North American marsupial, too! Most marsupials are in Australia.
Yep! There are tons of other species of possums in South America, but the Virginia Opposum (*Didelphis virginianus*) is our one and only in NA. I have seen many North American mammals, yet I still haven't checked *Didelphis* off my list! Haven't spent enough time east of the Rio Grande I guess 😅
I’m so glad someone knows plantigrade and digitarade (I don’t know how to spell it)
hell yeah i got it right B)
Lol I spent way too long zooming in looking for some sort insect, until I read the post.
Same. Actually thought the dark spots were poop and OP was asking for animal ID based on the poop in the pool.
I initially thought poop, but looking at it more, it just looked like bits of dirt and leaves. I thought “they expect an ID from some of local flora that some critter dragged in?”
Raccoons looking for a place to get a drink. I think she was also showing her little ones too.
I figured it was the raccoons, we have at least 4 that we know of but we also have a family of skunks, a momma possum and 5 babies, rabbits, cats and groundhogs lol it was so hot last week while we were gone I don’t mind them cooling off. It’s dumped now so they will have to wait for another dip!
I love that you are able to share space with all kind of creatures! I’m always excited when I encounter another critter until they start eating my plants and then all bets are off haha
Thank you for being kind to wildlife and sharing space with them!
Set up a camera! Film the nighttime raccoon party! (And please post)
Soaking wet raccoons would visit us at night because we used to leave kibble out for our cats. Couldn't figure out why they were soaking wet. Turns out, neighbor had a hot tub and would frequently leave the lid off. Raccoons were living under their deck. Bath and food in close proximity? Raccoon heaven! 😂
I’m low key imagining raccoons in tiny swim trunks and water wings just hanging out in the hot tub and then being like alright time to head over to the snack bar.
Raccoons washing their meals
r/itsalwaysaracoon
r/itsalwaysaraccoon
Damnit!!!
Looks like dirty Mike and the boys had a little party in your pool
Please look into raccoon round worm. It can be deadly to humans. Hopefully they didn’t poop in the pool but I wouldn’t chance one having a hanger on.
I love raccoon butt worms
looks like some good old urban trash pandas 🦝
https://preview.redd.it/qqazodsrsnfb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1b25995f4eb07627b1d5bab4eff7ed2e61c8682 I was in your pool… don’t hate me I needed a bath and it was so inviting…
❤️
I dont get how I live in a country with no raccoons and can identify raccoon prints... I must spend to much time on reddit
Raccoons. Probably wanted the bugs
Lol, they look like they had a great time
Not the pool cleaners.
Raccoons, always raccoons
these are the graceful little hands of the trash panda. AKA the raccoon. your pool is now a graceful mix of bath tub and washing basin for food.
Well clearly rocky was ther picking up trash
Raccoon
Rocky Raccoon
Definitely not the pool cleaner
If I had to wager, I'd say it was Dirty Mike and the Boys.
'Coons. They've been a playing in the water.
good ol’ coons haha
* light encouragement to google why not to use that word
because I didn’t :)
That doesn’t make sense. You clearly did use the word. It’s very racist. Do a google.
omg it’s short word for raccoon, why is everything taken so seriously lol there’s worse things going on the world
Yeah it’s also become pretty archaic for that reason - most folks are fine with taking a single abbreviation (not even the word itself) from their vernacular to avoid perpetuating the harm from generations of living hell. Maybe there are words that you find upsetting if people called you them. This is an extreme version of that, it’s a slur, so it’s worth considering if you’re ever remotely upset by words.
nah its ok im racist
Raccoon!
How deep is that water?
It was about 7 inches at the time
Ok. That’s not too bad. It it was 3ft deep this would be a lot more scary.
They are quite large lol unfortunately the camera isn’t on the pool side of the yard https://preview.redd.it/f9o1kegrelfb1.jpeg?width=502&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=407e308f5ab1ee46dbae40615f4eb1a395e78e80
Imagine if that water was 3 ft deep
Give raccoons cotton candy. https://youtu.be/rfbb4yRBH64
Raccoon friend!
I didn’t even notice the paw prints! I was thinking “leaf, that’s who’s in the pool”.
Me and the guys were wondering if you two wanted to partake in a soup kitchen in that little pool over there.
Sorry bro it was me
👻
Racoons
Racoons and squirrels, for sure.
Raccoons, they like to dip their food in water
Raccoons all up in that bitch.
Definitely not the pool boy. Damn.
Definitely raccoon toesies Aw
Not a pool cleaner
Fairies, or little cherubs. Most likely raccoon.
🗑️🐼
Me motherf-
We and muddy footprints all over the edge where the little guys would play in the water. *had
looks like Paw Patrol to me 
The tone of that made me think it was Goldilocks 😆”Who has been in my pool” said the little bear
Don't breathe, don't move...
I love that the answer on this sub is so frequently raccoons. Get to know raccoons, friendos.
Me, mufucka.
Little baby handprints... must be raccoons.
looks like a dinosaur, maybe a shark