Raccoons
What to do if you find a Raccoon
If you have found a Raccoon in need of immediate help, please click here for information.
How to Coexist with Raccoons
- Secure garbage cans.
- Don't leave pet food or water dishes out.
- Close dog and cat doors at night.
- For ponds, submerge a wire mesh horizontally around the circumference of the pond. Fish can then escape to the center of the pond and raccoons will be discouraged from standing on the unstable mesh.
About Raccoons (Procyon lotor)
- Opportunistic omnivore (eats both animals and plants)
- Eats acorns, grains, nuts, fruit, and small animals
- Natural habitat is wooded and wetland habitats
- Nocturnal and solitary except when breeding or caring for young
- If water is close, raccoons appear to wash food
- The raccoon's scientific name means “wash bear”
- The goal isn't to clean food but to tear at it, feeling for edible matter
- Has nimble fingers, can easily turn doorknobs
- When very cold, they may sleep for several days to a month (not hibernation)
Raccoon Facts
- Raccoons are very adaptable and tolerant of most human activity
- Sometimes they consume fruits, vegetables, and other crops because natural habitat and natural food sources have been diminished
- Domestic dogs may prey on raccoons
- Raccoons can carry diseases, so they should never be touched by people
- Foxes, bobcats, coyotes, owls, and other predators undoubtedly kill many young raccoons, but the automobile, disease, and human interaction are more significant causes of death