- The word raccoon comes from the Native American word arakum meaning “he who scratches with his hand.”
- Raccoons are nocturnal meaning they are more active at night.
- Raccoons are mammals.
- They have very high IQ’s, they are one of the smartest animals.
- Raccoons live in most parts of the United States, Southern part of Canada, Northern parts of South American, and in some parts of Europe and Japan.
- Raccoon’s prefer to live in wooded areas near water; however they are very adaptable and can live in suburban and urban areas.
- Raccoons live in dens in hollow trees, logs, under decks, sheds, barns they will even try to live in a house attic.
- Raccoons have 40 teeth.
- On average raccoons weigh between 8-20 pounds.
- They are between 16-28 inches long.
- Raccoons are great swimmers and climbers.
- Raccoons are sometimes referred to as “little bandits” because they look like they are wearing a mask.
- They are furry animals with a bushy tail that has dark colored rings.
- Raccoons come in a variety of colors including black, brown, gray, and shades of red.
- A raccoon’s hand is similar to ours as it has 5 fingers.
- They use their hands to pick up and carry objects, hunt and fish.
- Although a raccoon may look like a cute little animal, you should never go near one, they known to bite and scratch.
- Some raccoons also carry disease such as rabies, leptospirosis, salmonella and roundworm.
- Raccoons are omnivores meaning that they eat both plants and animals. Raccoons will often eat fruits, seeds, nuts, birds’ eggs, insects, fish, frogs and plants.
- Really a raccoon will eat just about anything. Sometimes they will even go through your garbage can for food.
- Raccoons are sometimes seen dipping their food in water before eating it.
- Even though raccoons do not hibernate, they sleep a lot in the winter. To prepare for the cold months raccoons will eat a lot to put on extra fat.
- Raccoons are solitary animals meaning they spend a lot of time alone.
- They are very territorial. Beside a mother with her babies, the only other time raccoons will socialize is to mate.
- A group of raccoons is called a nursery or a gaze.
- A mother usually gives birth to two or three babies called kit.
- The mother will teach the kits to hunt and live in the wild. They will stay with their kits for about a year.
- Raccoons communicate using a variety of sounds including purring, growling, hissing and whistling.
- Predators to raccoons are coyotes, wolves, hawks, owls and people.
- Often people hurt raccoons by accidentally’ hitting them with their cars.
- In the wild raccoons on average live between 1-5 years. In captivity they can live around 20 years.
- Signs you may have been visited by a raccoon
- Your garbage cans have been knocked over.
- Your garden is destroyed and someone ate all your fruits and vegetables.
- Your singles are torn on your house.
- You see raccoon prints: a foot and hand with five long toes or fingers.
- You hear scratching sounds coming from your attic.
