(Newswire.net — October 27, 2020) — Raccoons are one of the most prolific species in North America, being found in 49 out of 50 states. You’re very likely to see them in your backyard or even in your home if they think they can make a cozy nest there. Here’s everything you need to know about raccoons, and how you can dissuade them from getting comfy in your home.
Raccoon Appearance
The one thing most people know about raccoons is what they look like. They’re famous for their ‘masked’ look, with a black band across their eyes. Despite looking cute and cuddly, they’re actually a wild animal that you shouldn’t try and interact with.
The average raccoon measures about 18 to 28 inches in length and will weigh anything from 5 to 15 pounds. The heaviest ever raccoon was a pet named Bandit, who weighed nearly 75 pounds.
Raccoons have front paws that are nearly as dexterous as the human hand. Because of this, they’re able to handle all kinds of tasks. You’ll see raccoons opening jars and garbage cans, in order to access food. Find more information here.
Raccoons in Urban Environments
Over the last few decades, raccoons have been adapting to live in urban environments. If you have any living near your home, you’ll see they’ll happily rummage through your garbage cans and any open containers you have, looking for food. They have been shown to grow more intelligent than their wild counterparts, as they have to get more creative about finding food and shelter.
In fact, it has been observed that raccoons are now more likely to be violent towards humans, as they have learned to co-exist with them. Thanks to their dexterity and their ability to solve problems, they’re one of several species that have learned to thrive in urban environments.
Sleep Cycles
Many people don’t realize they have raccoons nesting in their homes, as the animals are actually nocturnal. That means that they sleep during the day, and come out at night to forage for food. This is partly why they have adapted to urban life so well, as they can go out at night when the streets are quieter.
Raccoon Diet
The diet of the average raccoon varies, depending on where it lives. For example, raccoons in the wild tend to live on fish, snails, frogs, bird eggs, and more. They tend to live near bodies of water, in order to have easy access to their preferred food.
Raccoons are omnivorous, so that makes it very easy for them to find food in urban locations. If they can get at pet food in your home, they’ll happily snack away at it. They’ll also go through your trash to eat leftovers or climb up trees to get bird eggs.
Raccoon Habitats
In the wild, raccoons usually shelter in burrows that have been abandoned by other animals. They may also live in fallen trees. They’re known to keep moving and will move on every few days or so.
In your home though, they’ll often take shelter in your attic. It’s high up and away from predators, ensuring that they’re safe. The attic in your home will be popular with nursing mothers, who want somewhere safe to raise their young. These are the only raccoons who don’t move on quickly from a habitat.
Diseases Spread by Raccoons
While raccoons look cute and don’t look all that dangerous, there are diseases that they’re known to spread. They can often carry rabies, something that neither you nor your pets want to be in contact with. They also carry parasites that are able to transmit Baylisacaris to humans. While infections are rare, they are very dangerous so you don’t want to take that risk.
Deterring Raccoons
If you want to keep raccoons out of your home, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, seal up any containers in your yard and garage. They’ll get into anything, so cut off access. Seal up garbage cans, pet food containers, and more. Also, trim trees near your home so raccoons can’t climb up and get into your attic that way.
These are some of the most important things you need to know about raccoons. While they’re cute, they can cause a nuisance so do your best to deter them from your home.