trash panda

"I think that it's really easy to just stick [raccoons] as 'trash pandas,' but they do have this complex shadow world that happens parallel to ours, with their own social structures and interests that we influence, but are completely independent," said Scott-Dutcher.

Finding a Wildlife Refuge in the Heart of New York City Allison C. Meier 2018

Neighbors have not exactly been thrilled about the animals, who can be threatening and are often nicknamed trash bandits, for their dark fur color across the eyes making them look like masked thieves, or trash pandas, for their proclivity to dive into trash cans looking for scraps.

More than 100 raccoons besiege house of woman who had been feeding them Guardian staff 2024

Soon, Lesch realized why, as a raccoon — aka a “trash panda” — popped its head out of the garbage.

New clues hint at early signs of domestication in raccoons that feast on urban trash | CNN Amanda Schupak 2025