{
  "id": 5354246,
  "title": "Pygmy raccoons teach each other to make toys out of paper and sand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/pygmy-raccoons-teach-each-other-to-make-toys-out-of-paper-and-sand",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-03T15:00:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Scientist",
    "slug": "new-scientist",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2587479-pygmy-raccoons-teach-each-other-to-make-toys-out-of-paper-and-sand/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A pygmy raccoon in Mexico has been observed teaching other raccoons how to make toy balls out of paper and sand. Nessie O’Neil, a researcher at Miami University in Ohio, filmed a younger raccoon fishing paper out of a rubbish bin, dipping it in water, and rolling it in sand to create a ball. The raccoons then used these homemade toys to play \"football\" with each other and even attempted to involve their mother, though she struggled with the activity. The behavior appears to have been learned from siblings, who taught each other the ball-making process. Researchers have rarely seen animals create their own toys for play, so this is a unique observation. Dr. Marek Špinka from the Institute of Animal Science in the Czech Republic noted that this complex animal play behavior suggests the behavior could become a cultural trait in the population. The conservation of the critically endangered pygmy raccoons, with fewer than 200 living on Cozumel Island, may benefit from understanding how they learn from each other, as it could help discourage unhealthy behaviors like stealing margaritas and begging for snacks. O'Neil hopes increased awareness of the pygmy raccoons will generate more support for their conservation.",
  "summary": "Critically endangered pygmy raccoons on Cozumel Island in Mexico have shown remarkable creativity by making balls out of rubbish at beach clubs",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}