They are also a prominent prey animal for large predatory mammals and birds. Their only defenses are speed and hearing. Adults can be 5-6 feet long and are often encountered by humans because of their prominence throughout North America and the variety of habitats they live in. Young black rat snakes look very different from the adults- they are patterned gray, black and white. They are often found nearby streams and lakes- they are excellent climbers and swimmers.
Raccoons eat many different kinds of food including fruits, nuts, crayfish, frogs, and bird eggs.
Raccoons do not wash their food as many believe, but may wet dry food because many do not have saliva glands. They especially prefer areas where the ground is covered with dense plants - this helps them hide easily. Chipmunks carry several nuts at a time in their cheek pouches and bring these back to store in their burrows. They are often out basking on logs near the water's edge. These turtles can spend 6 minutes under water feeding.