we often associate them with rummaging through dumpsters and consuming our leftovers, their natural diet is quite diverse and nutritious. It may surprise you to learn that raccoons possess a balanced palate even in their native habitats. Let’s explore the unique and varied food preferences of these resourceful creatures.
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Raccoon Diet
In the wild, raccoons exhibit an extensive menu, including berries, fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables. Their appetite extends to insects, eggs, poultry, rodents, squirrels, birds, fish, snakes, crawfish, worms, frogs, and mollusks. Fascinatingly, they showcase exceptional fishing skills, deftly capturing fish with their agile hands. Much like carnivores, raccoons naturally partake in the consumption of small mammals, such as mice and rats. Additionally, they have a penchant for fruits like strawberries, watermelons, apples, cherries, and blackberries.
When it comes to their urban diet, raccoons are known for their opportunistic approach, devouring anything readily available, including the contents of your garbage bins. They exhibit a particular fondness for cat and dog food, as well as other pet-related edibles. Bird feed also entices them, mirroring their preference for grains and nuts found in their wild diet, which serves as a source of winter sustenance.
It’s no surprise that raccoons, drawn to abundant food sources, occasionally venture into residential spaces. You might even encounter them attempting to access Tupperware stored in your fridge or skillfully prying open garbage bins.
Raccoon Intelligence
Raccoons possess remarkable intelligence, but caution is advised as they remain unpredictable. It is crucial to observe these critters from a safe distance. While it may be tempting to offer them food, it is best to resist the temptation, as feeding raccoons can lead to detrimental consequences. Once they associate humans with a food source, they will return, often accompanied by friends, turning a simple interaction into a chaotic encounter.
Given their remarkable adaptability to urban environments, raccoons can present challenges and cause significant damage. In such cases, it is advisable to seek professional assistance from wildlife removal experts like Raccoon Control. With over a decade of experience in the industry, our team prioritizes ethical and safe wildlife removal using government-approved techniques. We strive to restore peace to people’s lives by addressing raccoon-related issues promptly and effectively.