Everyone has their quirks, including our animal friends. For example, some horses like to make up their own bed. Then there’s this dog, Nikolai, who has to take a bag of bread with him on every walk. These facts are interesting, of course, but there’s a common belief about raccoons that really takes the cake: They “wash” their food before eating it! Us humans are all about keeping the food-making process safe and clean. Most animals, on the other hand, aren’t going all out in the same way. So, when raccoons are seen rolling their food around under water, it’s easy to assume they’re washing it. That said, there’s more to this quirky habit than meets the eye. Learn more about what these raccoons are doing and why in the video below! @southwestwildlife Anomaly was enjoying his hard boiled eggs- raccoon style! #wildlifeconservation #arizonawildlife #wildliferehab #wildlife #raccoonsoftiktok #animalsanctuary ♬ Monsters, Inc – Gustav Lundgren & Unit Raccoons are said to be remarkably sensitive when it comes to their sense of touch. For some perspective, their small hands contain over 10 times the number of nerve endings that we do. That might sound overwhelming, but this is simply how these little guys function. Here’s the Real Reason Racoons “Wash” Their Food with Water Before Eating If you were to take a look at a raccoon’s hand, you’d find a thin protective barrier, similar to a callous. When that part of their hand is dipped in water, it enhances their ability to understand what it is they plan on eating. Hard to imagine, right? Well, think of it like this: Raccoons rely on wetting their hands and food in a way that’s similar to how us humans use light to better see. Sure, we may see something without a bright light, but having one around can make a huge difference. The same is true for raccoons and the way they feel and interpret food. How cool is that!? You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Mythbuster: Do Raccoons Actually “Wash” Their Food Before Eating It? appeared first on InspireMore.