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I watched Raccoon Nation last night and enjoyed it very much. The raccoons are fascinating to watch. But I was puzzled by the repeated statements that the urban raccoons were evolving into something completely different from rural raccoons. I don't remember the researchers presenting any evidence that the raccoons are in fact different, either genetically or otherwise.  Have they studied the rural ones in as much detail? Is there any concrete change in phenotype?  Selection seems likely in some situations but didn't appear to be demonstrated. 

The idea of super intelligent raccoons seems like pure speculation, since for all we know, the ones in the woods are already really smart. Also, there's a graphic near the end of what appears to be hundreds (?) of territories superimposed over Toronto neighborhoods, but they said they only collared 5 raccoons in this preliminary study. So either I missed something, or that was poetic license. They also said that they don't know if raccoons opening garbage cans was learned or instinctive. Given the apparent speculation in other areas, it seemed strange to pull back on something that Occam's razor would suggest is learned behavior.  

Great footage of raccoons, but I would take the science with a grain of salt (pending evidence not presented in the show).

Jennie Dusheck

On Oct 31, 2012, at 8:50 PM, Charles Carlson wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
>> 
>> Hi There,
>> 
>> This Nature program is a really great study on urban raccoons around the world.  It's a fascinating example of evolution in action that's dramatically reshaping our urban environment.  It's well worth a watch.  You'll have to find it.  It's really good and highly relevant.
>> 
>> C
>> 
>> Sent from Charlie's iPad
>> 
>> Berkeley, CA
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>> San Francisco, CA 94123
>> 
> 
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