| |
|
Raccoons |
|
Grouping |
Omnivore |
|
Nicknames |
Ring tailed bandit, masked bandit, a#$%&, coon, night raider. |
| Best
Known For |
Raiding human habitat and dwelling in chimneys, attics and out
buildings. Destroying sweet corn crops. Excellent climbers and
swimmers. |
| Life
Span |
3 to 5
years. |
| Mating
Season |
January and February but can mate through June. |
| Litter
Size |
3 to 5
per year. |
|
Litters Per Year |
One
litter per year. Gestation 63 days. |
|
Dispersal |
Young
often remain with the adult female through winter and
move out in the spring. |
|
Habitat |
House
attics, abandoned buildings, barns, hollow trees, log piles,
old ground hog dens, brush piles, hay piles. |
|
Activity Cycle |
Nocturnal but not uncommon to be seen out on overcast days. They
are not hibernators but will become dormant during harsh
winter periods and lose up to of their body weight.
|
| Food |
Everything including dog and cat food, birdseed, many fruits,
carrion, fish, eggs, fresh water mussels, Cray fish, campsite
foodstuff, lawn grubs, sweet and field corn. Will kill and eat
chickens and ducks. Often removing the heads and eating the
crop. |
| Damage
Signs |
Claw /
scratch marks where climbing. Very visible damage at entry points.
Knocked over refuse containers. Stripped sweet corn. Fecal matter
accumulations. Trampled insulation. Staining and odor. Lawn damage
includes rolled up sections of sod. Distinct poultry kills.
|
|
Treatment |
Trap
and remove problem animals, exclude from structures, and remove
tempting food sources. Noise or odor deterrents have little or no
lasting effect. |
|
Diseases |
Raccoon Round Worm is found in the feces and is only destroyed by
fire. Great care should be taken when cleaning up feces and toilet
sites. Rabies (transmission is through bites, scratches and
contact with saliva. Can also be transmitted via shared outside
pet food dishes.) |
|
Distinguishing Features |
Raccoons have distinctive markings including a ringtail and facial
coloration, resembling a mask. Verbalizations are quite common
including screams, purring, battering, and high pitch growls.
|
|
|
|
S and S Wildlife Control, Inc. has
the following Licenses and Wildlife Control Certifications Licensed by the Pa. Game Commission
Licensed by Maryland DNR
Nationally Certified Wildlife Control Professionals N.W.C.O.A. |
Click
here for a printer friendly .pdf file