Raccoons at PAWS
Young orphan Raccoons are frequently brought to PAWS in the spring and summer.  They usually become Orphaned because their mothers are trapped, removed and sometimes killed after denning in the attic or crawlspace of a house. PAWS cares for them until they are old enough to be released back into the wild, being very careful not to let them get dependent on and used to humans.

Adult Raccoons are brought to PAWS after being struck by cars, or when they are suffering from diseases such as canine distemper. PAWS gives them medical care to help them get better in order to release them back into the wild.

Fun Facts

• The Latin name for Raccoon is Procyon lotor.
• Raccoons are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night
• Raccoons are not dangerous unless they are sick, cornered, kept as pets, or become used to being fed by humans.
• Raccoons are solitary unless there is a lot of food available or a mother is raising her young.
• Some people think Raccoons wash their food before eating, but usually the Raccoon is feeling the food with his sensitive forepaws to help identify it.
• There has not been a reported case of rabies in Raccoons in Washington State in several decades. Raccoons in the state often do have roundworms and a virus called Distemper.
  

Description
Adult Raccoons are about the size of a large house cat and can weigh from 15 to 40 pounds.  They have grey-brown fur with black masks around the eyes, a ringed tail and black paws.  Raccoons often chirp and purr to each other.  They snort and growl if they feel threatened.

Family
A mother Raccoon takes care of her babies alone.  She usually gives birth to between 2 and 5 babies in her den.  Most baby Raccoons are born in the late spring and early summer. The babies stay with their mother until the following spring.  During that time she helps them learn to run, climb and hunt for food.

The average lifespan of a Raccoon in the wild is about 2 to 3 years.  Predators of Raccoons are cougars, bobcats and coyotes.  Young Raccoons are sometimes preyed upon by hawks, eagles and owls.  Raccoons face many human-created dangers as well, such as domestic dogs, cars, trappers and hunters.

Home
Raccoons prefer to live in forested areas with a stream or other natural water source.  Raccoons are very adaptable and have learned how to live close to people in cities as well.

Raccoons use dens to raise young and rest during the day.  In areas with forest, Raccoons will also rest on the branches of trees.  Raccoons will den in burrows dug by other animals, brush piles, hollow logs and holes in trees. 

The size of the home range, or place where a Raccoon lives, depends on how much food is available.  In cities a Raccoon's home range may be less than one square mile.

Food & Water
Raccoons are omnivorous, and will eat a wide variety of plants and animals.  Raccoons do not have great eyesight, but they have very sensitive paws which they use to find food.  Raccoons especially enjoy foods found near water such as clams, frogs, crabs, and snails. They will also eat eggs, bugs, road kill, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.  In cities they will also eat garbage or pet food if it is easily available.

Raccoons need fresh water for drinking.  They also need natural water sources like lakes and streams to find nutritious things to eat.  In cities it is harder for Raccoons to find water and they may visit backyard ponds to eat and drink.

Living with Raccoons
If your family is having a conflict with Raccoons, or you found a Raccoon who you think is injured or orphaned, you can get free help by calling the PAWS Wildlife Center at 425.787.2500 x817.

Raccoons and other wild animals do not make good pets.  It's also against the law to keep them in your home.  To find out why, check out the wild animals as pets page.

Want to Know More?
Learn more about wildlife on PAWS' main website.