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Raccoons are well known for their black mask across the eyes and their bushy tail with four to ten black rings. Their front paws look like thin human hands and make the raccoon unusually adroit.
5 Common Questions about Raccoon Problems Answered
- When are raccoons a problem? Raccoons are a problem for two reasons: they carry rabies and are destructive. Raccoons are a major host of rabies. Just this past September, The Health Department, NYC Parks along with the USDA launched efforts to vaccinate raccoons against rabies in New York City.
Raccoons can just be a simple nuisance and/or cause significant damage and health risks. They can damage wood, plastic, and electrical wiring by chewing. They dirty and destroy attic insulation, sheds, and under decks. It’s also possible for raccoons to carry a variety of other diseases and parasites to humans. - How heavy is a raccoon? Adult male raccoons can weigh between 10 to 30 pounds – you might even see one weighing close to 50 pounds. Raccoons eat just about anything including fruits, berries, nuts, fish, frogs, insects, turtles, mice, rabbits, and bird eggs. They are famous for opening garbage cans and throwing trash around.
- What kind of animal is a raccoon? Are raccoons a rodent? A raccoon is a Carnivora. This group of mammals includes wolves, dogs, cats, bears, weasels, seals, and walruses. They are not rodents.
- Are raccoons endangered? No. It is estimated that on Long Island, there may be as many as 100 raccoons per square mile.
- Where does the name raccoon come from? The word raccoon comes from the Algonquian Indian word “arakum” or “aracoun,” which means “he scratches with his hands”.
Looking for effective ways how to keep raccoons out of your yard? Check out our blog on just that!
Suburban Exterminating has an NYS license for trapping and removing raccoons. If you are having a problem with this nuisance wildlife, contact us today.