Raccoons are most commonly found in the US or Canada. They are native to areas like woodlands and grass fields. These ring-tailed masked creatures resemble some clever ninja, and more so in their behaviors. The raccoon species act more like a spy even in real life, as they stealthily creep out their human neighbors by sneaking into their kitchens to feast on some cat food. Yes! That’s true.
Raccoons look cute, but these animals are not suited for domestication. Raccoons are wild animals. Though one can say that raccoons can be tamed, as they are smart, and they can pick up manners pretty quickly, but their wild instincts do not leave so easily. Even the most well-tamed raccoons can require supervision and a good amount of maintenance. A constant watch must be kept on these notorious raccoons, even if they are tamed.
Let us catch up with some rare and interesting raccoon facts here below.
1. Raccoons are interesting nuisance neighbors
How would you feel, if every day or two you spot a sketchy stranger in your neighborhood, or even more, near your house? The stranger does not cause much harm except steal food and just explore. Freaking creepy? Annoying? Well, that’s exactly how you would describe a raccoon if you have had an experience with one.
Once it gets interested and curious about something, it shall stick around unless shooed away. Thus, these creepy masked spies are true spies by nature. Keep an eye for raccoons near you.
2. Omnivorous Raccoons are not picky eaters
Raccoons love food. They are true epicures and will eat anything they wish to, and almost everything. Though their list of favorite food includes grasshoppers, berries, nut, mice, squirrels, and eggs. While raccoons prefer to live by the marshes, they can also feast on crawfish, snails, frogs, etc. Yet, you must watch out for raccoons that are famous for stealing pet food, making garden raids, trash rummaging, and more.
3. Very Smart Raccoons
When you think of a spy, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Intelligence, clever moves, etc. Well, that’s the first impression that raccoons leave on our minds after keen observations. Raccoons are known to remember a method to do a particular task for up to 3 years. These intelligent mammals have a strong memory and they truly rely on them for their food searches and hacks. Do you think you can beat them in this?
4. Baby Raccoon groups are called Kits
Just like other animals of the wild, raccoons have a score of offsprings. At once, raccoons can give birth to 5 or 6 raccoon babies. They are called kits. The kits remain with their mother for a long time, but they are quite independent. When raccoons go to fetch for food, they live their little kits alone. And you might be lucky to spot a few kits playing around in the neighborhood!
5. The masked mystery
Ever wondered what purpose does a raccoon mask serve to the creature? Here it is. The black mask over the eyes of the raccoons makes it one of the most distinguished features of this animal. It is believed that this black mask helps the raccoon improve their night vision as these nocturnal animals look for food in the night. This mask also helps reduce glare in their eyes.
6. Great Sustenance
Yes. You may not believe this but raccoons have immense sustenance for falls. They are pretty tough and have been known to tolerate almost any sort of falls. Sometimes, they have been spotted to walk away after falling from heights as high as 130ft. Interestingly, their climbing skills are unparalleled. They can climb any tress, either forward or backward. And since they are tough, they fear no heights. They can climb up tall trees with ease and confidence.
7. Clean Freak Raccoon Myth
Raccoons are known to wash their food before eating. Really? Do you think wild animals would even think about washing before eating? Absolutely not, as they live in the wild, they need to stay wild. Though raccoons are known to dip their food in water before eating. It’s a myth that the purpose behind this is to clean the food. They do so in order to gather more sense about the food they are consuming with the help of the sensory nerve endings in their paws. These raccoons can feel better if their food is wet, and thus this behavior, just as mysterious as it seems, is important to a raccoon.
8. Important Raccoon Paws
Raccoons have extremely dexterous hands just like us humans. They have very sensitive paws, which feel and sense better when underwater, or wet. Raccoons have five fingers in each paw. What’s special? Raccoons can turn their hind feet up to 180 degrees! All these physical features make it easy for them to climb and fetch food with ease.
9. Raccoon Name Trivia
A group of raccoons is called a nursery. Sometimes also called a gaze. Raccoon baby groups are called kits. Male raccoons are called boars and female raccoons are called sows. The name raccoon means the one who scrubs and scratches with hands. Namely creatures!
10. Noisy much
Raccoons can make up more than 50 different types of sounds while communicating. This way, one can be pretty sure to find a raccoon being vocal when in a group, and if lucky, one can also hear some chit chat. The most common raccoon sounds observed include growls, purrs, hiss, etc. when they are fighting over their one and only love – Food.
Though raccoons are interesting creatures and you may be tempted to spike a friendly interaction with a raccoon, if you spot one in close vicinity, but mind you they are known to carry rabies and other unwanted worms. Do not try to touch them, as they may act aggressively towards you. Raccoons are best admired from afar.