Our animal kingdom adopts a long list of fascinating and curious creatures, critters, and crawling things. Depending on the area in which you reside, you will notice many different different species. If you are a frequent visitor or resident of the Northern or Eastern areas of the country, then woodland animals are the animals you will encounter most often. One of the most intelligent and prevalent of them all is, in actuality, the wild raccoon! Raccoons are seen on regular events in residential areas and in the natural forests and wooded regions of the United States, also. There are so many problems, topics, and areas to discuss when it comes to raccoons, but let us start with the fun stuff! Keep on reading to learn some general information about wild raccoons, some fun facts, and who to call for professional help and advice in regards to raccoon management and preservation.

This is because they are found in a number of diverse regions of the United States, Melbourne Raccoon Removal and exhibit marginally different attributes, habits, and lifestyles. Raccoons are part of the Procyon genus and clinically known as Procyon Lotor; loosely meaning “dog-like”. In addition to this very formal title, these animals are also known as the Common Raccoon, North American Raccoon, and the Northern Raccoon.

Raccoon Standing Behind Chain Link FenceIn addition to these colloquial titles, raccoons are also called by their habitat and behaviors. They are highly adaptable mammals that can reside in a variety of different climates all over the world; such as Central, South and North America, Canada, Asia, Europe, and even the Caribbean. This variety leaves room for a good deal of interesting names. The differences among each species include size, weight, fur colour, diet, behavior, and other identifiable and physiological traits.

Raccoon Behavior

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active at night and rest during the day. During the night, raccoons generally hunt and forage for food. Although primarily nocturnal, they are known to venture out in the day from time to time for specific food resources. In the United States, these food sources are commonly turning out to be residential and urban garbage cans and dumpsters.

Raccoons travel and behave in colonies; usually consisting of their own kin. The start of the year has proven to be their breeding period; using a gestation period of approximately sixty five days or so. The men don’t partake in increasing the raccoon pups, so females separate after reproduction. Raising baby raccoons isn’t a terribly dangerous time period for female raccoons; mostly because raccoons have very few predators. This does not mean that they cannot be exposed to danger.

In certain areas of the world, animals like coyotes, cougars, mountain lions, and bobcats, and more, will feed on wild raccoons. As natural instinct allows, raccoons are known to claw, bite, hiss, growl, and scream at anything threatening it. This defensive behavior is usually seen in urban areas near people and domesticated pets.

Raccoons are omnivorous so their diet may consist of everything from invertebrates to plant material. Based on the time of year, habitat, and species of raccoon, food sources will differ. By way of example, in the late summer and fall months, Northern raccoons are known to indulge in fruits, acorns, walnuts, and other seasonal foods that are full of nutrients and calories. This better prepares them for their winter hibernation period. In the springtime and early summer months, raccoons dine on less favorable things, such as worms, insects, and other readily accessible invertebrates.

In addition to these easy-to-obtain foodstuffs, raccoons will also eat fish, bird eggs, snakes, amphibians, and several other vertebrates; as long as they can reach them or capture them! Other regionally raccoon food tastes include crabs, lizards, plants, berries, crayfish, as well as human food. This all depends on where they live and how accessible the food items are. Different species of raccoon display different habits when it comes to feeding and hunting.

Although not conclusively proven, raccoons are thought to wash their food before eating; also known as “dousing”. There are lots of theories to explain this behavior; however, most believe it is just an archaic habit dating back to when raccoons mostly fed on shorelines and foraged food sources from watering holes. Other theories suggest that raccoons can’t produce an adequate quantity of saliva to consume their meals, so they need to moisten it with water for adequate digestion.

Unfortunately, because of over-development and mass construction, some species of raccoon have been forced to live among individuals in urban and residential areas. These raccoons have learned to adapt to this kind of living within the past fifty years. They use our municipal waste sites to forage food, as well as, home gardens, dumpsters, pet food bowls, and much more. They use every opportunity they can find to gather and consume foodstuffs in our metropolitan regions.

They’re moderately intelligent mammals that can learn to overcome obstacles and remember certain tasks for up to three decades! They could use their dexterous hands and claws to open gates, pick locks, dig holes, lift, push, and rip away anything in their way. This causes lots of structural damage to homes and buildings in these municipal neighborhoods and regions.

When homeowners and building experience an animal infestation problem, it’s important that they act quickly. Structural damage, repairs, cleanup, and attacks are all potential consequences of a raccoon infestation. This is particularly vital for families or buildings with little children. Wild raccoons can not only be protective and defensive of the clan, they can also carry a plethora of communicable diseases; such as Rabies, Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis, and much more. To avoid a raccoon attack or contagious infection, it’s vital to remove raccoons after you are aware they of their existence. Typically, an animal control company can be called out to diagnose the issue and facilitate a set of remedies to get rid of the threat. In this situation, it is highly advised to hire a company which does not use dangerous and inhumane procedures of animal control. Be sure to call a company that can eliminate raccoons safely and humanely. An animal control company shouldn’t kill raccoons.

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