Native to the New World, raccoons prefer to inhabit wooded areas, but have adapted to numerous locales, including populous cities. Adept climbers, the mammals frequently construct their dens in tree hollows far from the ground, but may also settle in abandoned buildings, houses, burrows, caves, or just about any other sheltered place. They do prefer, however, to live near water if possible, though they do not enjoy swimming and their coats are not waterproof. When they capture food, raccoons have an unusual habit of dipping the item into water, perhaps to wash it before eating, using their slender, humanlike hands.