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When you imagine a raccoon, you are probably thinking of a black strip of fur running down the animal’s face. Some people say that this black raccoon fur makes it look like it is wearing a mask or disguise. The description is suitable for the raccoon, because this intelligent animal tries to hide from sight as much as possible. However, aside from the conspicuous face fur, how much do you know about raccoons? Otherwise, you are likely to have a lot of questions, such as where they live, when and where they sleep. Keep reading to find out more about where raccoons live and more information about this unique animal.
What is a raccoon?
A raccoon is a small mammal two to three feet long, including its tail. These animals are considered medium sized and can weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. They have thick fur mixed between gray and brown. The raccoon has a sharp snout, erect ears, and four tiny legs with five toes with sharp claws. Its tail is as remarkable as its face. The raccoon’s tail is fluffy, with black, gray or brown rings. The tail rings have earned him the nickname “ringtail”.
These animals are omnivorous, feeding on crayfish, fruits, nuts, bird eggs and rodents. They are not picky about food. They are ready to eat whatever is most convenient for them at the moment.
Where do raccoons live?
Raccoons live in North America and northern South America. They thrive in temperate climates. In their natural environment, they build their homes in hollows of trees, piles of firewood or bushes, and even in unoccupied holes built by foxes.
In addition, raccoons can build a nest in the attic inside the house. They often tear the insulation and reposition it, creating a nest in the corner or on the rafters. A raccoon who seeks refuge in an attic is more likely to give birth to children there because it is a warm and safe place. In addition, these mammals are known to seek refuge in garden sheds, garages, and barns. Sometimes raccoons even build their nests in unused chimneys.
Male raccoons live alone, so they live in a hollow of a tree or in a hole by themselves. However, female raccoons are social. They may live in a den or burrow with several other female raccoons and their young.
When are raccoons active?
If you never stay up late, you are unlikely to see a raccoon. These mammals are nocturnal. So they go out looking for food after dark. During the day, they sleep in tree holes, holes, heaps of bushes, or hidden in the attic of a house.
On rare occasions, you may see a raccoon wandering around during the day. Some people assume that the raccoon gets sick if he walks during the day. But it is not always the case. Sometimes female raccoons go out during the day in search of additional food to feed their cubs, also called kits.
Raccoons have excellent eyesight, so they can see well in the dark. They travel easily almost anywhere. Raccoons can climb trees and swim, as well as move fairly quickly on the ground. This ability gives them the ability to find many sources of food.
Are raccoons afraid of people?
The short answer is no. Raccoons can live in cities or suburbs with many houses around. Many live in the countryside around ranches and farms. If a raccoon smells something tasty, he will not hesitate to explore areas with houses and people in search of food.
This leads to a problem that many homeowners face. The problem is that raccoons dump trash cans and rummage through the trash in search of goodies. Raccoons are very resourceful when it comes to food in or around the home. They can throw away garbage cans or crawl into them to find discarded food. Raccoons can leave paper towels, bags, old tuna cans, and other debris in the driveway or sidewalk.
Some raccoons are bolder than others. They were known to enter garages and homes through open windows or dog doors in search of food.
How to keep raccoons out of the house
There are some things that homeowners and others can do to discourage raccoons from entering their property and creating clutter. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep raccoons away:
- Buy trash cans with locking handles to keep the raccoon from removing the lid.
- Secure all windows so raccoons cannot climb inside.
- Close all areas in the attic where the raccoon can enter from outside.
- Do not leave food on your patio or outside where raccoons can smell.
- Sprinkle garlic powder or cayenne pepper near the trash cans to keep the ponytail free. Raccoons don’t like these strong smells!
- Place the feeder on a thin stand or pole. It is difficult for raccoons to climb very thin structures.
- Keep bowls of dog and cat food indoors to keep raccoons out of the way.
- Install motion-sensing lights in your backyard to scare off these creatures. They don’t want attention!
Keep in mind that if a raccoon finds food on your property once, it will likely return several times to see if there is more food. They are known for their persistence as well as their intelligence. Leaving food outside the home, or even intentionally putting food outside, will attract dozens of raccoons. So it’s best to take precautions right away to dissuade them.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do raccoons hibernate?
No, in winter they do not hibernate. However, they eat extra food in the fall to sleep on the coldest days of winter. They can sleep for a month, but do not go into traditional hibernation like bears.
If the weather gets very cold, male and female raccoons huddle together in a den or hollow of a tree to keep warm.
Are raccoons aggressive or shy?
Raccoons are shy. Although they approach homes and residential areas in search of food, they do not want to be seen.
The only exception is that if a female raccoon feels that her cubs are being threatened by an animal or a person, she is likely to become aggressive in order to protect her cubs. But this is typical behavior for many species of animals.
What are the signs that a raccoon has visited your property?
Overturned trash cans and scattered debris are two important signs that a raccoon is in your area.
When visiting raccoons, they leave behind feces. Although their feces are similar to that of other animals, they usually leave it in certain places. Raccoon feces are usually found at the foot of large trees, near woodpiles, or near bush piles.
Shuffling sounds coming from the rooftop are another sign of a raccoon’s visit. Raccoons walk strangely with their backs raised and their heads lowered. They walk instead of walking in a balanced gait. The raccoon can move around the roof of the house to check where it can enter.
Are raccoons considered pests?
In some areas, raccoons are considered pests. This is especially true if there is a large population of raccoons at the summer cottage. If there is not a lot of forest or fields for a natural nest, raccoons are more likely to try to build a shelter in the attic of a house or in a garden shed in the backyard.
Some pest control specialists catch the raccoons alive and move them to other areas. The trap has a treat inside, so when the raccoon enters and grabs the treat, the trap door closes behind the animal. The raccoon was not injured.
Please note that if you ever see a raccoon trapped, it is best not to approach him. The raccoon will get scared and most likely become aggressive because it cannot escape. The Pest Control Specialist has special training and special gloves to avoid injury when you take your raccoon away to move it.
Are raccoons endangered?
No. In fact, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the northern raccoon is considered the least dangerous due to its growing population.
Biologists have learned that raccoons adapt easily to their conditions. In other words, they have learned to thrive in whatever environment they live in. This means that if raccoons in an area do not find enough crayfish, bird eggs or small rodents to eat them, they will show up in the neighboring area to check the trash cans.
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