This raccoon comes up from the marsh and looks normal. Then we see a HUGE mussel (shell fish) attached to his/her foot. The raccoon will likely lose a toe or two but should ultimately be ok.

There are a lot of raccoons in the yard missing multiple toes and now we know one of the reasons why.

On a side note, we volunteer rescuing raptors and shorebirds with a local avian clinic. I have also witnessed shellfish so big that they can weigh down small herons and egrets. Charleston SC Apr 2026