Cunning animals have mastered the art of deception to survive, using behavior and tricks that help them achieve their goals, whether it be for food or shelter, reproduction or survival. According to the premier America wildlife naturalist of the 19th century, John James Audubon, the raccoon is one of the most cunning animals in the wild.
“It is quite dexterous in the use of its fore-feet, and will amble after its master in the manner of a bear, and even follow him into the streets, wrote Audubon and John Bachman in The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America“ after observing a semi-tame specimen in captivity.
“It is fond of eggs, and devours them raw or cooked with avidity, but prefers them raw of course, and if it finds a nest will feast on them morning, noon and night without being satiated. It will adroitly picks its keeper’s pockets of anything it likes to eat, and is always on the watch for dainties.”