Interesting Wildlife Facts About Raccoons
- Highly Intelligent: Raccoons are known for their remarkable problem-solving skills. Studies have shown they can remember the solution to tasks for at least three years. Their intelligence has led to them being described as the “nighttime bandits” because of their ability to manipulate locks and doors to get into food sources.
- “Dexterous” Hands: Raccoons have incredibly dexterous front paws, which resemble human hands. These paws can open jars, turn doorknobs, and manipulate objects. In the wild, raccoons often “wash” their food in water, though this behavior is actually an instinct to explore objects with their paws, not a true washing action.
- Adaptable Diet: As omnivores, raccoons eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, nuts, insects, small animals, eggs, and even garbage. They have been known to feed on bird eggs, small fish, and plants in addition to human food scraps.
- Social Behavior: While raccoons are generally solitary creatures, they do exhibit social behaviors, especially when it comes to raising young or during the winter months when they sometimes den in groups for warmth. They often communicate through a range of vocalizations, including growls, chirps, and even screams.
- Excellent Climbers: Raccoons are skilled climbers and can easily scale trees and buildings. They are also adept swimmers and can stay submerged for long periods while hunting for food in water.
- Vision in the Dark: Raccoons have excellent night vision, which makes them well-suited for their nocturnal lifestyle. Their eyes have a special layer called the tapetum lucidum, which helps them see in low light, giving them an advantage when searching for food after dark.
- Territorial Creatures: Although raccoons are generally solitary, they do mark their territories using scent glands located around their feet and tails. These scents are used to communicate with other raccoons and warn them to stay away from certain areas.
- Environmental Impact: Raccoons play an important role in ecosystems by controlling populations of insects, small rodents, and other pests. However, when they invade urban areas, their behaviors can lead to significant damage to property, crops, and even water supplies if they contaminate them with their droppings.
- They Can Swim: Raccoons are capable swimmers, often entering water in search of food. They are also able to travel long distances across water and have been known to use lakes, rivers, and streams as a natural means of navigation.
- Nocturnal Creatures: Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. Their natural inclination for nighttime activity helps them avoid predators and other dangers while scavenging for food.
Nuisance Issues with Raccoons
Raccoons are frequently encountered nuisance animals due to their adaptability to human environments:
- Damage: Raccoons may tear holes in roofs to access attics, causing significant damage to insulation, ducts, and pipes.
- Mess: If they take up residence in your attic, expect considerable messes, including droppings.
- Food Search: Raccoons scavenge for food by tipping over trash cans, raiding dumpsters, and stealing pet food.
- Disruption: They may break into porches and even urinate or defecate in swimming pools.
- Health Risk: Raccoons can carry diseases and parasites, posing a health risk to humans and pets.
Raccoon Behavior
- Adaptability: Raccoons are highly adaptable, especially in urban areas, where they are commonly found.
- Climbing Skills: They are skilled climbers with nimble hands, allowing them to access hard-to-reach places.
- Persistence: Raccoons are strong and persistent, often breaking into new areas in search of food and shelter.
- Denning: While they typically den in trees, attics also provide ideal living spaces for them.
Raccoons and Diseases
- Rabies: Raccoons are known carriers of rabies, a potentially deadly disease.
- Canine Distemper: They can also spread canine distemper, which can be fatal to dogs.
- Raccoon Roundworm: Their droppings may contain raccoon roundworm, whose spores can be inhaled by humans, leading to serious infections.
Where in the US Are Raccoons Found?
Raccoons are found throughout the U.S., thriving in diverse habitats. Common areas include:
- Urban Areas: Raccoons often adapt to cities and suburbs, foraging in trash cans and living in attics or sheds.
- Forests: These animals prefer wooded areas with access to trees for shelter and water sources for food.
- Wetlands: Raccoons thrive near rivers, marshes, and lakes, where they hunt for aquatic prey.
- Agricultural Areas: Farms and rural properties provide ample food opportunities, from crops to small animals.
Protecting Your Property from Raccoons
To protect your property from raccoons, it’s important to seal any potential entry points, such as gaps around windows, doors, and vents, and repair any holes in the roof or walls. Consider installing chimney caps and securing attic vents as part of an exclusion strategy to prevent access to your home. Keep outdoor trash cans tightly sealed and avoid leaving pet food or birdseed outside, as these can attract raccoons. Raccoon trapping and humane management can be effective when you notice signs of an infestation. Trim back tree branches and shrubbery near your home to make it harder for raccoons to climb and reach your roof. Regularly inspect your property for signs of damage or entry and act quickly with professional wildlife removal services if you suspect a raccoon infestation to avoid costly repairs and health risks. Raccoon proofing your home with proper barriers and exclusion methods can further deter these pests.