Is it true that raccoons are genetically programmed to wash their food?

I have volunteer grape tomatoes growing in the compost pile again, and I find pieces of orange or red tomato on the ground away from the vines. I also find them on top of the 20" tree trunk that forms the downhill boundary of the compost area.

Whatever does this is either scatterbrained enough not to notice he's dropped half the fruit (sounds like a squirrel?) or else not very hungry. Or perhaps he bites into an orange one, then decides he'd rather have ripe tomatoes (there are some in the bottom of the tangle of vines).

I don't currently have a birdbath; any raccoon who wants water has to go 300' to a small creek.

Maybe raccoon, but I'd guess possum. In my experience, raccoons prefer fish, dog food, etc. They will go after various fruit if hungry, but are not willing to go to much trouble for it. Possum, however, love to eat fruit.

If possum, you'll find them at night with a flash light. I then utilize a 2x4. Racoon. Hmmm. You tell me. I stay away from them and keep the dog away too. Maybe live traps?

Roof rats!

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW120

Hmmm. Possum makes sense. Local raccoon drives dog nuts at midnight eating his food, but haven't heard barking lately.

Rats also possible, although to avoid household panic I will have to adopt the code name "unicorns." If you see a message from me saying "killed unicorn with axe handle after bitter midnight struggle", please do not call the fairy police.

Hopefully for you and your family maybe are outside in a hollowed out tree. Maybe you could get some non-venomous snakes to help control them. Or would that cause an equal household panic?

Your post cracked me up! Will be watching for unicorn updates.