Fun Facts:
Raccoons can get their body masses up to 50% body fat, especially raccoons living further north!
They can live off these fat reserves, and in harsh weather, can lose as much as 50% of their body weight to survive.
Young raccoons stay with their mother for about 10 months.
Raccoons sleep a lot during very cold periods, but don't hibernate.
Even though they appear to shuffle usually when they walk, they are actually capable of running 15 miles per hour!
They are incredible climbers, and can even drop 40 feet without it bothering them! They are also really great swimmers.
Raccoons are mostly nocturnal.
They have an excellent sense of hearing and phenomenal night vision. In addition, they are extremely tactile and have super sensitive forepaws, which is why you can sometimes see them handling their food just like a human would.
They can live off these fat reserves, and in harsh weather, can lose as much as 50% of their body weight to survive.
Young raccoons stay with their mother for about 10 months.
Raccoons sleep a lot during very cold periods, but don't hibernate.
Even though they appear to shuffle usually when they walk, they are actually capable of running 15 miles per hour!
They are incredible climbers, and can even drop 40 feet without it bothering them! They are also really great swimmers.
Raccoons are mostly nocturnal.
They have an excellent sense of hearing and phenomenal night vision. In addition, they are extremely tactile and have super sensitive forepaws, which is why you can sometimes see them handling their food just like a human would.
Benefits:
Raccoons are omnivores and help distribute seeds in ecosystems.
They feast on insects, rodents and even dead animals, which helps to clean up the environment and keep it in balance.
They also help aerate soil because of their frequent digging for worms and insects.
They feast on insects, rodents and even dead animals, which helps to clean up the environment and keep it in balance.
They also help aerate soil because of their frequent digging for worms and insects.
Challenges:
Raccoons can negatively impact populations sizes of main prey items in some habitats, such as in areas where they eat a large number of clams, crayfish and insects.
They can carry rabies, but this is only a concern if handling them in the wild. (Seeing raccoon in the daytime doesn't mean they are rabid! They are probably just looking for extra food for growing young.)
Raccoons can be destructive to agriculture, such as corn, orchards, and chicken yards.
They can carry rabies, but this is only a concern if handling them in the wild. (Seeing raccoon in the daytime doesn't mean they are rabid! They are probably just looking for extra food for growing young.)
Raccoons can be destructive to agriculture, such as corn, orchards, and chicken yards.
Tips for living alongside them:
Keep trash secure.
Do not feed wild raccoons or leave pet food outside.
Keep holes closed in your walls and crawl spaces to prevent them from denning inside.
If you do fine a hole, and wonder if it is being used, wad up some newspaper and place it in the hold and see if it is still there in 2 days.
If they get inside your house, use bright lights and loud noises at dusk, which is right before their normal activity period, to safely haze them away.
If you need to clean raccoon waste, hire a professional or follow these guidelines for safety: CDC Guidelines
Do not feed wild raccoons or leave pet food outside.
Keep holes closed in your walls and crawl spaces to prevent them from denning inside.
If you do fine a hole, and wonder if it is being used, wad up some newspaper and place it in the hold and see if it is still there in 2 days.
If they get inside your house, use bright lights and loud noises at dusk, which is right before their normal activity period, to safely haze them away.
If you need to clean raccoon waste, hire a professional or follow these guidelines for safety: CDC Guidelines
range and habitat
Their range extends throughout Southern Canada and most of the United States, and into Northern South America.
Raccoons require access to water. They prefer woodlands that have moisture, but can be found in urban and suburban locations as well as farmland.
Raccoons require access to water. They prefer woodlands that have moisture, but can be found in urban and suburban locations as well as farmland.
sources
What to do about raccoons. The Humane Society of the United States. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-raccoons
Wilson, D., 1999. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Washington, D.C.: The Smithsonian Institution Press.
Wilson, D., 1999. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Washington, D.C.: The Smithsonian Institution Press.
