Basic Facts About Raccoons

Raccoons are nuisance animals that can become aggressive and spread disease to humans and pets. They are active year-round but can be most destructive in late winter and early spring as they seek nesting or den areas in which to birth their young.

Raccoon Description

• Raccoons are stocky with short front legs and long back legs.
• Adults are 20 to 30 inches long and weigh 10 to 35 pounds.
• They have grayish-black fur, rounded ears, and a distinguishing black “mask” over the eyes.
• They are very furry with a striped tail, having alternating light and dark rings.
• These mammals are very common throughout the United States.

Raccoon Behavior

• Raccoons are very intelligent. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, studies have shown that these mammals can remember how to solve tasks for up to three years.
• Raccoons are a nocturnal animal and are active year-round.

Raccoon Houses

They make their homes in several places, including the following:

Natural dens: Natural dens are found in wooded areas along streams, lakes, marshes, swamps, and farmland in hollow trees, ground burrows, brush piles, or rock.

In cities/suburbs: In these areas, you can find them in backyards, beneath decks, or in outbuildings, such as sheds, barns, or abandoned buildings.

In houses: In your house, you can find them in attics, chimneys, and the spaces beneath the home or porch.

Like many wildlife, raccoons have their young in the spring, generally having. litters of three to six babies (kits).

The kits stay with their mother for the first year then begin to leave as new young are born the following spring.

They are omnivorous, eating just about anything. Preferred food includes:

Plants: Fruits, plums, gooseberries, blackberries, blueberries, dogwood berries, wild cherries, currants, wild grapes, apples, hawthorns, acorns, hazelnuts, beechnuts, corn, and grains.

Animals: Crayfish, clams, fish, frogs, snails, insects, turtles, rabbits, muskrats, eggs and young of ground-nesting birds, and turtle eggs.

Human foods: Garden fruits, nuts, vegetables, outdoor pet food, garbage and compost scavenging, and bird feeder grains.