Raccoons are a common animal in North America. They live in urban and rural areas and can be found throughout much of the United States. Raccoons have a reputation for being mischievous, but they’re pretty intelligent animals that use their hands to explore their environment and find food.
These creatures seem to make themselves at home wherever they go. Raccoons have a reputation for being mischievous, but they’re pretty intelligent animals that use their hands to explore their environment and find food. But what exactly is a raccoon? How do you identify them? How dangerous are they, and how can we keep them away from our homes or yards? This article will answer those questions and more!
How Racoons Look like?
Raccoons are small mammals that live in wooded areas and near water sources. They look like a mix between a cat, an opossum, and a rat. Raccoons have mask-like markings around their eyes and face, typically brown but can change color between blonde, light brown/tan, dark brown/black, and black. Their furry tail, usually striped, can also identify raccoons (although some are spotty); dark legs with 4 to 5 dark rings on their tail; front paws are white, and they have pointed, fur-less ears.
The raccoon is the largest of the procyonid family, having a body length ranging from 40 to 70 cm (16 to 28 in) and bodyweight of 5 to 26 kg (11 to 57 lb).
Raccoons are nocturnal animals, so they sleep during the day and come out at night to scavenge for food.
It makes a den in hollow trees or burrows that are about 15 feet above the ground. A mother raccoon will have one baby per year, which she raises until it becomes independent or two years old when she has another baby.
Raccoons are solitary animals, not unlike other mammals which live in packs (bears, wolves). So they not only need their own home but therefore cannot share. Some raccoons do live in a family group called a band, but this is unusual.
They can become very friendly if they are hand-raised when young and then released into the wild when older. Unfortunately, many people keep them as pets or don’t mind having them around their yard or farm eating insects and such. Raccoons tend to be friendly when kept as a house pet but can become quite aggressive when in their natural habitat.
Where Raccoon Live?
Raccoons live in a wide range of habitats. Most raccoons live in wooded areas that are near water. However, they are very adaptable and can live in the forests, mountainous areas, suburbs, and even cities.
Raccoons prefer to den up in elevated spaces when they are in certain types of danger. One reason is to have a greater warning of approaching predators. A raccoon who cannot hear or see a threat will respond in an entirely different way than one who has the benefit of being able to watch that predator’s approach.
While raccoons usually make their homes in trees, they can also make home by burrowing into the ground or hollowing out a section of your home’s exterior wall. In addition, if homeowners fail to properly trim overhanging tree limbs adjacent to the house they will allow access behind siding.
Raccoon mothers nurse and care for their kits while the male raccoon brings home food. Young raccoons will leave their mothers once they reach about five pounds in weight, usually before winter sets in. Raccoons prefer to be active at night but may come out during the day if they have young to feed and protect.
A raccoon’s fur is adapted to its habitat: it changes color as the seasons change to blend into its surrounding environment. In winter, its coat becomes thicker and shaggier; it becomes grayer and thins out in summer. Raccoons also have lighter-colored fur on their stomachs.
Raccoons are not territorial, so they can be found living in population hubs surrounded by water sources. If you spot one, be on the lookout for more because chances are there’s a mother and her kits in the area.
What Attracts Racoon?
Raccoons are attracted to areas that have food, water, and shelter. They also like to build their dens in the forest next to streams, rivers, or wetlands to gather plants and animals nearby.
The recycle bin can also be a huge attractant to raccoons. If you have a recycle bin that they can easily open, they will go first for food. You may also want to make sure none of your pets are left outside at night as these animals might eat smaller mammals or birds.
They enjoy eating plants, insects, frogs, fish, and eggs; however, they will eat almost anything for food. Raccoons do not live in the wild long without finding something to eat, so keeping any garbage cans or compost bins closed tightly is important. These can attract raccoons if they are easy to open. To prevent these animals from eating at your home, try placing ammonia-soaked rags around the area they are getting into or sprinkle red pepper flakes near their entry point. This should be enough to make them leave and not come back.
Raccoons love water and dry land and can survive in colder climates and warmer climates. However, the area around your home might be an excellent place for them to search for food and shelter, so it’s important to make sure you take the necessary precautions, such as closing all garbage cans to prevent raccoons from coming and avoid the danger that they bring.
How dangerous Raccoons Are?
Raccoons can often be a serious public health and safety concern. They’re one of the more clever and adaptable animals, which means they’ve become a nuisance in many cases-especially when they show up in our homes! With their sharp teeth and claws, they can inflict serious damage on humans. In addition, they travel in packs and will not hesitate to attack as a group. You can also say that their numbers are on the rise, which is why we should all be cautious when we come across raccoons.
Inside, the raccoon can cause problems by making a massive mess in your attic. They like to pull insulation down from the rafters and rip it apart to make nests. Not only is this very unsanitary, but there’s also the danger of fire or disease that could come about through accumulated hair and droppings. Even worse than an unsanitary mess is a possibility of raccoons bringing along other animals such as fleas, mites, and parasites.
Outside, these clever creatures can make a big to-do about getting into your garbage cans or breaking into your pet’s food. But, unfortunately, they might also cause damage to the exterior of your house while they’re looking for an entry point.
They are very dangerous, too, because of all the diseases they carry and transfer to humans. Raccoons have spread diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, canine distemper, roundworm, and several parasites.
Whether you’re dealing with raccoons that are foraging for food or raccoons that are taking up residence in your attic, it’s essential to know how to keep them away.
How to get rid of Raccoons?
Raccoons are a common sight in most parts of the United States. They are usually considered charming, even when they show up in our houses, but sometimes finding them is a problem.
Many people find them to be cute and entertaining creatures, but for others, they may just be a pain. Often they turn out to be more trouble than they’re worth, especially if you’re dealing with raccoons in your yard.
If problems with raccoons exist, maybe some of these tips can help.
• Pick up pet food. Pet food left out at night is a major attractant for raccoons, so pick it up as soon as your pet is finished eating.
• Keep your yard clean. Raccoons are looking for food scraps, so keeping your property free of debris and garbage will help make it less inviting to these animals.
• Secure ventilation. Don’t leave small openings outside buildings because this allows the animals easy access inside to nests, compost piles, or other potential food sources
• Consider a guard animal. If you have dogs, don’t leave them out at night. A dog will scare away most raccoons because they view it as a more giant predator.
Live traps are one way to humanely control raccoon populations around homes and other structures. Raccoon-proof live trap models can be purchased at some hardware, feed, and farm supply stores.
Raccoons can be live-trapped using these sturdy cages. Check with local wildlife officials and the state department of natural resources for trapping raccoons for relocation or elimination.
Live traps should only be used as a temporary measure to remove animals from an area, especially if the raccoon is sick or injured — consult a professional wildlife control company to safely eliminate difficult-to-catch animals.