Strange But True Fun Facts About Raccoons

Key Takeaways:

• Raccoons possess a surprisingly high level of intelligence,a wideoblem-solving skills, and an excellent long-term memory. They are highly communicative animals capable of producing an extensive variety of distinct vocalizations.
• Their physical anatomy features highly dexterous front paws and distinct facial markings that aid in communication and nighttime vision. Despite their physical size and occasional proximity to humans, they remain wild, unpredictable, and potentially aggressive animals that should not be domesticated.
• As opportunistic omnivores, they have easily adapted to urban environments and city life by utilizing human trash and municipal infrastructure.
• Raccoons pose significant health and property risks because they are destructive, carry rabies, and can harbor dangerous parasites in their waste.

Nighttime on Long Island sees the arrival of a certain pest to many homes—maybe you hear a noise, a metallic crash, and step outside to take a look. You only barely see it running off, but you don’t have to see it to know what it is. It’s the fluffy, masked, curious, and potentially dangerous animal, sometimes referred to as a “trash panda.” 

You guessed it, we’re talking about raccoons.

At Suburban Exterminating, we witness firsthand how unique, hazardous, and downright strange raccoons on Long Island can be. Let’s talk about some of the strange but true facts about raccoons that you may not realize.

Now Onto the Weird Raccoon Facts…

1. Raccoons Are Smarter Than Dogs

In recent years, scientists have learned that raccoons are quite smart little critters. Raccoons rank just below monkeys (who rank just below humans) on the mammal IQ scale! They’re able to remember specific and complicated tasks for years.

They’re also great at solving puzzles. In a study in the early 1900s involving 12 raccoons, the animals were given 13 complex locks. In under 10 tries each, the raccoons were able to successfully open 11 of the 13 locks.

2. Raccoons Can Make Over 200 Different Sounds

Raccoons are very vocal, making a variety of sounds including chittering, purring, hissing, growling, screeching, and much more. Baby raccoons (called kits) make mewing, crying, and whining sounds. Regardless of age, these different vocalizations help raccoons clearly communicate with one another. 

3. Raccoons Aren’t Native to Alaska

Raccoons are native to 49 states – all except one. Alaska is the sole state where you’re not likely to find these critters running around. Through the years, people have brought raccoons into Alaska, but they are much less common than in other areas of the United States.

4. The Story Behind the Name

Have you ever noticed how dexterous raccoons are? The word “raccoon” made its way into the English language from the Powhatan term meaning “animal that scratches with its hands.” 

In many languages, such as German, the raccoon is named in relation to the term for bear, going by Waschbär, or “wash-bear.”

5. Pet Raccoon? Don’t Do It…

It’s not uncommon in the United States for humans to try to domesticate raccoons and have pet raccoons. However, you really shouldn’t. Raccoons are wild animals, and they’re known to be aggressive, unpredictable, and mischievous.

Plus, they can become infected with parasites and diseases that can be dangerous to humans.

6. Their Dexterity Helps Raccoons Get Into Trouble

Raccoons have nimble fingers and opposable thumbs on their front paws, and can use them for sophisticated tasks like opening lids and jars, eating food, and sometimes getting into trouble.

7. Raccoon Masks Serve a Purpose

Raccoons are well-known for their black masks across their faces and the bandit-like look they provide to these cunning creatures, but did you know those masks serve a purpose? Their unique fur coloring actually allows for easier identification of one another. It’s also suggested that the dark coloring helps prevent glare and aids in their night vision.

8. Raccoons Are Common on Kennedy Space Center

Raccoons are one of the most commonly spotted mammals living around Kennedy Space Center!

However, no raccoon has ever been to space. 

9. They’re as Big as Some Dogs

Have you ever seen a raccoon up close? You may have noticed it wasn’t a tiny critter! It’s typical for a raccoon to grow to about 23 to 37 inches long, and adult male raccoons can weigh between 10 and 30 pounds – you might even see one weighing close to 50 pounds. 

10. Raccoons Aren’t Picky

When it comes to what they eat, raccoons are opportunistic creatures who will feed on fruits, nuts, and vegetables, as well as other small animals like frogs, snakes, and mice, and even insects. 

Because they aren’t really hunters, raccoons are going to eat what’s convenient to them, so in urban settings in particular, whatever is in an easily accessible trash can is also fair game.

11. Raccoons Love the City

Speaking of urban settings, raccoons are thriving in cities around the country. While a big city may not seem like an ideal location for raccoons, they’ve actually adapted quite well to city life, and often travel through drains and sewers to get where they need to go.

12. Raccoons Are a Major Host of Rabies

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 and 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.

13. Raccoons Are Not Rodents

What kind of animal is a raccoon? Are raccoons a rodent? No.

Are raccoons a marsupial? No.

Are they related to cats? No.

What about bears? Not really.

Raccoons are members of the Procyonidae family. They’re most closely related to several jungle and forest-dwelling animals, including coatis, kinkajous, ringtails, cacomistles, and olingos.

14. On Long Island, It’s Estimated There Are 100 Raccoons Per Square Mile

It is estimated that on Long Island, there may be as many as 100 raccoons per square mile. While that seems like a lot, keep in mind that there are an estimated 5,700 people per square mile on Long Island (the entire island). In Nassau County, there are approximately 4,900 people per square mile. And in Suffolk County, that number is about 1,600 humans per square mile.

15. Raccoon Droppings Can Contain a Dangerous Parasite

By itself, this is enough of a reason to try to keep them off your property, especially if you have pets or children. Coming in contact with raccoon feces can be highly hazardous due to the Baylisascaris procyonis parasite it may harbor. While infection in humans is rare, it can be severe.

Always make sure you use proper personal protective equipment, like gloves and a respirator, when removing raccoon feces (or any animal feces) from your property. If you frequently find raccoon feces on your property, it’s probably worth calling a wildlife control professional.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons

If you discover you’ve got a trash panda in your attic (or even a litter of raccoon babies without their mother!), don’t touch these critters. Give the wildlife control experts at Suburban Exterminating a call for your raccoon removal on Long Island. 

Raccoons are known to be wild animals and may become aggressive if they feel threatened. They’re known to bite and scratch, and transmit dangerous diseases like rabies, salmonella, Leptospirosis, and Baylisascaris, a type of roundworm.

At Suburban Exterminating, our removal method is to trap the critter and implement state-of-the-art exclusion to prevent them from returning.

Contact Suburban Exterminating to schedule your free estimate.