Raccoons

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SIGNS OF A VISIT

• Distinctive tracks on ground and structures.

• Scat size the same as that of a domestic cat but often contains fruit seeds.

• Several birds may be killed; heads may be bitten off.

• Eggs smashed and eaten in the nest or completely missing.

TO DETER

• Secure pet doors at night.

• Use raccoon-proof latches.

• Use hardware cloth, not chicken wire; cover all pens; and coop poultry or small animals at night.

This animal family, including kinkajous and coatis, is found only in the Western Hemisphere. The northern raccoon, once found only in the wooded riverlands of the United States, has greatly expanded its range throughout most of United States and southern Canada, adapting to both urban and agricultural areas.

Raccoons can weigh from 4 to 40 pounds or more. Their hind legs are much longer than their front legs, giving them a hunched appearance. Raccoons are omnivores who usually forage at night. They do not deliberately wash their food but do so only because rubbing or dipping it in water helps them to gather more sensory information about what they are eating. Raccoons are clever and can open many latches and locks, solve complex tasks, and remember their solutions over time. Raccoons attack poultry or waterfowl, raid garbage or pet food, and eat garden or fruit crops. They are the most common complaint to pest removal agencies.

Warning: Raccoons are a major carrier of rabies and can transmit other serious diseases such as distemper. Handle raccoons and feces with gloves, wash and disinfect contaminated areas, and carefully dispose of feces, which may carry a potentially fatal parasite. Be especially cautious of raccoons spotted during the day. It is illegal to transport trapped raccoons in many areas due to the threat of disease.