Tonight I saw a racoon up close for the first time.

We have a few stray cats in our neighborhood, and they often hang out in our backyard. The house's former owners built a treehouse, which we have left up, and the cats often hang out there. We call it "the cat rave." :p

Tonight, I was in the computer room after midnight. The window by me looks out on the treehouse.

I heard some scuffling about on the treehouse. I looked out, and saw a large dark shape. It looked like a local cat which has been picking fights, so I hissed and clapped my hands to scare it off.

In reply, I heard a deep, non-catlike growl. I hissed more loudly, and banged on the windowsill.
The racoon growled back, and didn't move.

Finally, I went out back, very carefully and armed with a stick in case it charged at me. I got closer, swung the stick, stamped my foot, and hissed and barked (heheh). I didn't want to yell, because of our neighbors.

The racoon didn't even flinch! He was utterly unafraid of me and my stick and my yapping. He just stared me down, growling.

I was disturbed by how unafraid he was. Animals that bold could cause trouble. I've heard stories about racoons attacking pets.

Mike's mother had a cat door installed, and it had a magnet closure which only opened when the cat, with a "key" on his collar, was within a few feet of the door. The raccons ripped the cat door apart and entered the house!

So any other racoon stories or advice?

--Jez"who was that masked rat?"zika