You’ll have far better luck at getting rid of unwanted raccoons, or preventing them from moving onto your property in the first place, if you first familiarize yourself with some of their habits. We know wildlife and without further ado, here are some raccoon habits that everyone ought to know.
Know Raccoons to Remove Raccoons!
1. Raccoons do not hibernate in the winter. Or any time of the year, for that matter. However, they are capable of sleeping for weeks at a time in their den. Talk about getting well rested! When the weather is harsh, they hide out and sleep. But if they get a warmer winter day, they can be found scavenging for more food.
2. Raccoons are not that fast. They can run only up to 15 miles per hour.
3. Raccoons can swim. If raccoons were reincarnated, they’d suit coming back as a fish. They are excellent swimmers and can stay in the water for hours on end.
4. They’re usually not terribly talkative, but can make noise when it counts. Listen for hisses, screams, snarls, and even whistles. We don’t know what songs they like to whistle though. Sorry!
5. Raccoons are brainy. They are great at figuring out solutions to problems, and remembering them for years! This quality is what allows them to figure out ingenious ways to get into our garbage, sheds, and attics!
6. A stereotypical raccoon habit is to be a loner. They tend to stick to themselves, not even hanging around long enough to see their babies born. Females are loners when not raising their young.
7. They usually live short lives in the wild. Most raccoons will only live for 2-5 years in the wild. But, if in captivity, they can survive for as long as 2 decades!
8. Raccoons are omnivorous scavengers. Raccoons like to eat a wide variety of foods. If they live near fresh water, they’ll feast on fresh fish, crabs, and crayfish. They’ll also enjoy eating some insects, such as grasshoppers. If near farmland, they love to raid nearby fields for fruit and vegetables, such as corn and apples. If they live in an urban environment, they have a habit of seeking food from garbage cans. Raccoons are also not opposed to eating small mammals, such as mice.
9. Raccoon habits are flexible. With their tendency to be brainy enough to figure things out, and ability to eat a wide variety of food stuffs, they can afford to be very flexible in terms of where they live, how they live, and what they eat.
10. Raccoons like to sleep all day. Raccoons are nocturnal mammals, and like to sleep all day, and scavenge for food at night. If you want to catch a glimpse of one, don’t bother looking for them during the day.
11. Female raccoons are good mothers. They will stay with their young to provide food, shelter, and warmth all the way to the end of their first winter. At that time, the young will be old enough to fend for themselves.
12. Raccoons are territorial. Males will typically roam a territory that’s as large as 250 acres. They will mark it by rubbing their scent on trees or rocks. This gives other raccoons a hint that they ought to stay out. Females also have their own territory, although due to the need not to stray too far from their young, the space they take charge of is generally smaller than that of the males.
Raccoon Habits Summed Up
Raccoons are basically nocturnal, resourceful loners who like to find a territory and stick with it. Although they are attractive-looking animals, they are often considered pests due to using their talents to get into our stuff.
Do you need raccoons removed from your attic or property? Have wildlife issues and live in Burlington, Oakville, Waterdown, Milton or the surrounding GTA? Then contact us for a raccoon removal quote today!
