RACCOON BIOLOGY

Raccoons live near streams, lakes, and marshes. Raccoons prefer swampy areas or woods near water and are absent from very high elevations and very arid regions. They are found throughout the United States except for large parts of some of the western states, they are omnivorous.

They normally prefer the use of hollow trees or logs, rock crevices, abandoned animal burrows for dens. However they can make a nuisance of themselves raiding the garbage cans and tearing up lawns. They will also use your home structures for dens including: chimneys, attics, and hollow areas beneath porches and buildings.

Raccoons mate in January to March and have a 63 day gestation period. A litter commonly contains one to seven young. The family group is sociable, remaining together for about 1 years. Although raccoons may live 14 years or more in captivity, they seldom survive beyond seven years in the wild.

In some areas, raccoons become dormant in winter. Their diet consist primarily of insects, crayfish, mussels, fish and frogs during the Spring and early Summer. During the late summer and fall, fruits, berries, nuts, and grains are also eaten.

Raccoons are most active at night and are not commonly spotted. If you see one during the day, it could be a possibility that they are sick or injured. Do not approach a raccoon at any time, especially one spotted during the day time. Raccoons can contract several diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans or pets. Rabies is the greatest concern. The eastern states have the highest incidence of rabies in animals. Although very few US residents get rabies from these animals, people should be careful with ones that act abnormally.

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