What a raccoon eats? ¿Do you question some time? In this blog, I am going to tell you what these cute little animals are like and what their diet is based on. If you want to know them well, keep reading and do not miss anything. Let's start!
What a raccoon eats?
Raccoons are omnivorous animals that feed on both plant species and animal species. During the dry season, they can consume 50% of plant matter, while in the wet season it is reduced to 30%.
As you can imagine, they are very dexterous with their front legs and hold their food with them. In addition, those who live in urban areas tend to search for food waste in containers. On the other hand, they have even been considered a pest in certain rural areas where they attack fruit or corn crops.
What does the raccoon eat?
Raccoons usually eat whatever they find in their environment, although it is believed that they do not consume carrion.
Some foods that can be part of their diet are:
• Frogs.
• Little reptiles.
• Small mammals.
• Fishes.
• Crustaceans.
• Insects
• Fruits.
• Vegetables.
• Seeds.
• Eggs.
• Cereals.
• Berries.
• Nuts.
Raccoon food according to the season of the year
Summer
During this season these animals take advantage of eating food in large quantities due to the growth of plants and that the fruits are in their best state, since they are fresh, it is the one they like the most. There are studies that show that it is the season where they eat the most.
Fall
In autumn, raccoons seek to eat corn, ripe fruits, crabs, and others because they try to eat as much as possible to form a layer of thick fat on their bodies, which is important for them to survive the cold months that come with the winter season if not, they can die.
Winter
In this season they survive only on dry corn seeds left in the fields and eating acorns, which is a dry fruit, but it is an excellent food source. However, it is in this season that they usually reach the garbage cans in search of food.
Spring
After the cold, the animals in spring are almost 50% thinner than they were in the fall season, so they try to recover, this is where they tend to eat even the animal food they get, whether it is the ones that are dead, various types of insects, crabs and other small mammals that they can find.
Domestic raccoons
There are some species of raccoons that can be adopted as pets, but when they live in a home it is necessary that whoever has them has knowledge of the care that these animals must have, to keep them healthy.
Being an omnivore, eating fruits, vegetables and meat, it is prudent to know and calculate the dose they should consume, which will depend on whether they are a puppy or an adult, because when they are very young they only consume milk, about 11.3 centiliters each three hours, and the amount should be increased until he is six weeks old, where his feeding is mixed with milk and food, little by little.
From the 16th week of life, raccoons are already independent, and it is at this time that they can already consume a variety of foods, such as eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, vegetables, corn on the cob, rice, peppers, seeds and fruits of various kinds.
It is important that the food is varied so that they do not get bored of eating the same food, but without eating red meat because it is not good for their health. You should also make sure that they always maintain an ideal and stable weight since they are very prone to gaining weight and may even be obese, which is risky for their health.
Is it true that raccoons wash their food?
You are right! That is why they are also known as washing bears. Although they cannot always access a river or clean water (especially in cities), the truth is that they have a habit of washing the fruit or animals they consume. For example, they skin frogs on the riverbank because some of them secrete poison through their skin.
What are raccoons like?
Raccoons are mammalian animals that belong to the genus Procyon and the family Procyonidae. They are also known as washing bears as they often wash their food as mentioned before. These animals are native to America.
The word "raccoon" derives from the Algonquian ärähkun, which means “hands that scratch”. This refers to the prehensile capacity of the front paws of these animals.
The different types of raccoons
Today, three different species of the raccoon are recognized, although several subspecies also exist. Each of them has specific characteristics, although they all share certain general characteristics as well.
The different types of raccoons are the following:
• The South American raccoon, aguará popé, or mayuato (Procyon cancrivorus). It is native to South America.
• The boreal raccoon (Procyon lotor). Native to North and Central America.
• The Guadeloupe raccoon (Procyon lotor minor). Originally from the Guadeloupe region, in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean Sea. Is in danger of extinction.
• The Tres Marías raccoon (Procyon lotor insularis). He lives on the Tres Marías Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. This subspecies is also highly endangered.
• The Cozumel raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus). It is native to the island of Cozumel, off the Yucatan Peninsula, in Mexico. This species is classified as "critically endangered" on the IUCN list.
The main characteristics of the raccoon
Some of the main characteristics of raccoons are the following:
• They are medium-sized animals: they measure between 40 and 55 cm high.
• They can weigh up to 15 kg. Its fur is of medium length (neither too long nor too short) and has grayish tones.
• They have a long, ringed tail that is white and silver-grey in color.
• On the face they have a very characteristic dark spot in the form of a mask that goes from one cheek to the other, covering the eye area.
• They often sit on their hind legs like bears or meerkats when they look out for danger.
• They have five fingers on their extremities. These fingers are long and very agile.
The habitat of the raccoons
Raccoons normally live in the woods, near rivers. However, it is also very common to see them in urban areas. These animals adapt perfectly to their environment.
The distribution of its wild population ranges from Canada to Central America. The highest population density is concentrated in the United States, in the desert areas of Mexico, and in the southern half of Canada.
In any case, it is possible to see wild specimens in various parts of the world. This is because many people adopted them as pets and then abandoned them or ran away.
How are raccoons?
They are very restless and are continually investigating, feeling, and looking around everything that surrounds them. If you have one I advise you to buy any pet products, including food products for her.
Also, add a pot with water close to them where they can wash their food if they want to because, in the wild, they have the custom of washing everything they find, they take it to any river, they clean it, they put it in water and then they eat it.
Character
Although a priori they seem very cute and funny, we do not have to trust ourselves because especially when they are in the wild. In their adult phase, they become quite aggressive creatures when harassed by humans or other animals. Therefore beware of the raccoon bite.
Weight
The standard weight of these animals varies from 5 to 10 kg. Although they are quite prone to obesity, there are cases in which an adult raccoon weighs more than 25 kg.
Raccoon's relationship with men
It has a peculiar and characteristic appearance, especially because of the touch of its skin. This has meant that for many years they have been persecuted by humans and hunted, with the sole pretext of using the fur of this animal.
Today that continues to happen, that is, raccoon fur is used for fur coats. Contrary to what happened years ago, raccoons that have been raised on farms are now used for this purpose.
Relatively recently, there was a tendency to have raccoons in flats and in European houses. When they are puppies there is no problem. But when they become adults, coexistence for the owner and for the animal itself can’t go well unless you have a garden or prepare an open area with trees for the animal.
Have a raccoon as a pet
Having a raccoon as a pet can be fun but it is not a domestic animal. However, many people have adopted baby raccoons when they have been rejected by their mothers or they are orphans. It is good to know that when they are little they can be kept in a more or less controlled manner but when they are adults they begin to bite and play with everything around them, causing a mess because they can be very naughty.
On the other hand, it is not recommended to have a raccoon in captivity, unless you have a fairly large area surrounded by nature where they can move freely. In case you have a raccoon at home, you can buy some toys (like the ones you buy for your dogs or cats) so he can play with them.
Also, it is important to put a recipient with water in a place where the raccoon can have easy access and you should change the water every day.
Raccoon Care Tips
Mainly three tips wild life specialists give to those who have a raccoon in captivity:
a) Vaccinate them against rabies, because of their nature they can bite and cause problems.
b) Do not have a raccoon in a flat or in a house but in a natural space as wide as possible.
c) Take care of their diet because they can gain a lot of weight.
How long do raccoons live?
How long do raccoons live in the wild?
2 to 3 years is the average lifespan of raccoons in the wild. And it is that, although this creature can reach 5 years of existence once it exceeds its time of youth, the truth is that it usually dies much earlier.
Humans are to blame for this, either because they are hunted or because they are hit by cars. Malnutrition is another cause of their premature death, as is attacked by other predators or disease.
How long do raccoons live in captivity?
In captivity, raccoons can live well over 3 full years without any problem. In fact... they can reach 20 years of age!
This is so because they live in excellent conditions and environments controlled by humans. Their diet is adequate, not to mention that they receive veterinary care that allows them to keep certain diseases under control.
Reproduction and life cycle of raccoons
Their mating time can vary, but it usually happens between the months of February and March. It is worth mentioning that male raccoons often fight each other to mate with as many fertile females as possible.
The young are usually born in early summer and remain in the burrow for 2-3 months. From 8-12 months of age, they already live completely independently.
Raccoon Curiosities
They are docile animals: Contrary to popular belief, raccoons are extremely docile. In fact, many people adopt them as pets.
Raccoon paws: Raccoons have great flexibility and mobility in their four legs. This allows them to fall without injuring themselves from heights of up to 12 meters. Its claws have five fingers and resemble the fingers of humans.
How much do raccoons run?: The maximum speed that a raccoon reaches is 24 kilometers per hour.
And you, what do you think of raccoons? Aren't they cute? 😇
Now you know what a raccoon eats in case you need to take care of one 😊
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