Fun facts about the ubiquitous, omnivorous raccoon.
By Knolan Benfield
November 2016
Eyes orange-red in the glow of headlights, the nighttime marauder creates terror in the hearts of grasshoppers, crickets, grubs, and grapes. Well, not grapes, of course. But there isn’t much a raccoon will not eat.
From acorns to zucchini, plus chickens, eggs, vegetables, and fruit, all are fair game to a foraging raccoon. These omnivorous animals will even eat salamanders; snakes; and crayfish, a favorite. Raccoons have been known to dig into an alligator’s nest for eggs, not always with favorable results for the raccoon. As campers and homeowners know, they also enjoy scavenging in trash cans.
Let’s take a closer look at this fellow. The adult raccoon is typically 2 to 3 feet long and can weigh 14 to 24 pounds or more, depending on habitat and available food. Its tail sports four to eight alternating brownish-gray and black rings. Its famous black mask is outlined in white.
Raccoons waddle slowly along on the soles of their feet like a bear, but they can run briskly for a considerable distance and are capable of reaching 15 miles per hour. Their distinctive hand-shaped tracks display five long toes on front and hind feet. The front tracks range from 1.5 to 3 or so inches long; the hind ones measure approximately 1.4 to 4 inches long.
The Algonquian Indian name for the raccoon means “he who scratches with his hands.” The creature’s “hands” are as sensitive as ours. It finds food on the bottom of a stream by touch.
The raccoon’s scientific name, Procyon lotor, is based on a false assumption. Lotor means “a washer.” Scientists once believed that the creature’s salivary glands were not up to the job of moistening food, but now we know its glands are fine. If water is close, it actually will dunk its food, but not always.
Raccoons are nocturnal. How long they hunt depends on how fast they find food. The search for food can cause problems, but not just for the raccoon. Their foraging can expand from their wild habitat to campgrounds and neighborhoods. They can open trash cans or a camper’s cooler. (I know.)
When raccoons enter a human-occupied space, they may resemble animal movie characters come to life. Their finger-like front toes allow them to turn doorknobs, open refrigerators, even unscrew jar lids. They also contribute to the critters’ climbing ability.
During the day, raccoons may stretch out on a limb or on an old squirrel nest in the shade. They rarely bed down in the same place two days in a row.
The raccoon is at home on the range in southern Canada and across the United States except for portions of the Rockies and several Western states. It is native to North America and has relatives all over South America, Central America, and even in Europe and Japan.
Their ideal habitat is below 6,000 feet and ranges from 10 acres to several square miles. They avoid open fields. Out on the prairies, they’ll use wetlands or woodlots.
A raccoon learns a lot of what it knows from its mother, but the curious mammal continues to master new tricks throughout its lifetime.
Moms mate with only one male per season, usually in February up north, and around December in the south. After a few days, Dad starts searching for a new love.
The stay-at-home mom builds her nest in a hollow tree and lines it with leaves. The ideal tree will have an opening around 6 inches by 4 inches that leads 6 to 10 feet deep into the tree. She would like for it to be from 8 to 13 inches in diameter. She sounds pretty picky; however, if a perfect place isn’t possible, she’ll settle in a cave, a hole in the ground, or a chimney.
Most raccoons are born in the spring. Four is the average number of “kits” or “cubs” in a litter, but sources say it can range from one to eight. At birth, kits weigh about 2 ounces and are about 4 inches long. Their eyes open at around two to three weeks of age. Mom sits up to nurse, holding them in her arms. They are weaned in 10 to 16 weeks.
Two months after they are born, Mom may move the babies to a new den, this time on the ground. Mom does all the work. If their father comes around, she runs Romeo away.
At first, Mom carries her babies by the nape of the neck, but soon they follow her, all in a row, on foraging expeditions. If she senses danger, she runs them up a tree and will attack ferociously to protect them.
In the south, the fledgling raccoons bid their farewell in the fall. In the north, they stay until the following spring. Some may hang around home, forcing Mom to drive them away when it’s time for her next litter.
Raccoons smell okay; that is, their sense of smell is okay. Their hearing is acute, and their eyesight is excellent. Not surprisingly, these nocturnal animals have excellent night vision.
During a normal night’s foraging, these critters can consume up to a pound of food. When cold weather comes, they may eat five times that much. They’ll need that extra fat to get through the lean winter months.
Raccoons do not hibernate; they may sleep for several days while the worst of winter rages outside their den. In the Deep South, they remain active all year.
Bears, birds, and most animals defend their territory; raccoons don’t. Mostly solitary, raccoons try to avoid each other. When they do meet, they will put on a great show. Their heads go down, their ears flatten, and their hair goes up. A lot of growling commences, but both usually back down. If a fight occurs, it will end as soon as one demonstrates dominancy, and it won’t happen again.
Growling is only one sound raccoons make. Snarls, hisses, loud screams, whinnies, whimpers, and purrs are also part of their repertoire. Some naturalists estimate that raccoons produce more than 200 different vocalizations.
Mountain lions, wildcats, wolves, foxes, fisher cats, coyotes, great horned owls, and alligators all list the raccoon as a favorite food. Yet, its principal predator is man. Hunting and trapping take their toll, but vehicles kill many raccoons as well.
Despite all their enemies, raccoons in the wild survive two to three years. In captivity, they may live to a ripe old age of 20.
Uninvited Campers
Raccoons can destroy human property at times. There are way too many of them — or way too many of us. One of the best tricks raccoons have learned is to avoid humans, even if they are neighbors. That can be a little tricky. Sometimes, their curiosity gets the better of them. Here are some suggestions for coexisting in the campground.
- Although raccoons look cute and cuddly, admire them from a distance. They may bite or scratch if approached.
- Don’t leave food out at the campground; that includes pet food.
- Keep garbage cans tightly closed.
- Raccoons may be tempted to steal shiny objects, such as aluminum foil, aluminum cans, jewelry, keys, etc. Make sure these items are out of sight at night.
- Spray cayenne pepper around the campsite perimeter to further deter curious raccoons. Check the internet for homemade solutions.
- Use natural commercial critter repellent if necessary; be careful not to use poisons that can harm dogs, cats, and people.
- Keep raccoons at bay with loud noises and clapping.
- Use a motion-activated mechanized repellent. These devices spray water when detecting movement from raccoons and other critters.
- Raccoons can carry rabies, leptospirosis, salmonella, and other diseases. Rabies symptoms may include aggressiveness, unusual vocalizations, and foaming or drooling. Contact the park ranger or campground host if you suspect a rabid raccoon.