Raccoons are wild animals driven by instinct, not affection, making them unsuitable as pets or companions. While their appearance can be deceivingly cute, approaching or interacting with them poses significant risks. Their behavior is primarily motivated by survival, focusing on foraging and seeking shelter.
Understanding Raccoon Nature
Raccoons are highly adaptable, nocturnal, and omnivorous creatures. They forage for various foods, including fruits, insects, and discarded human food, often drawing them into urban and suburban areas. Their remarkable dexterity and problem-solving abilities allow them to access diverse food sources, like secured trash cans or outdoor pet food, contributing to their success in human-dominated landscapes.
The apparent “friendliness” some raccoons display towards humans is a result of habituation to human presence, often linked to the availability of food. They learn that humans can be a source of sustenance, leading them to approach rather than flee. This behavior is a learned response to obtain resources, not an indication of a desire for companionship or affection.
Potential Dangers to Humans
Raccoons can transmit several diseases to humans and pets, with rabies being a notable concern. This viral disease affects the nervous system, and raccoons are among the most common carriers in the United States. Transmission occurs through contact with an infected animal’s saliva, often via bites or scratches. Symptoms in rabid raccoons include unprovoked aggression, disorientation, staggering, unusual noises, and excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth.
Raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, is another significant health risk. Raccoons shed millions of microscopic eggs in their feces, which become infectious after two to four weeks in the environment. Infection occurs by ingesting these eggs from contaminated soil, water, or objects. While rare, human infections can be severe, causing nausea, tiredness, liver enlargement, loss of coordination, and even neurological damage, blindness, or coma if larvae migrate to the brain or eyes.
Raccoons can also carry canine distemper, a viral disease affecting their respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. While it does not affect humans, distemper can be fatal to unvaccinated dogs and other wildlife. Raccoons with distemper may appear disoriented, lethargic, stumble, or lose their natural fear of humans, exhibiting behaviors mistaken for rabies. Interacting with raccoons, even healthy ones, carries the risk of bites and scratches if the animal feels threatened or startled.
Safe Interactions with Raccoons
Maintaining a safe distance from raccoons is crucial for human and animal well-being. Never feed raccoons, as this encourages them to associate humans with food and leads to increased conflicts. Secure outdoor garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and avoid leaving pet food or other edibles outside, which attracts raccoons to your property.
If a raccoon approaches, remain calm and slowly back away without turning your back or running. Making yourself appear larger by raising your arms can sometimes deter them. Do not corner or threaten a raccoon, as this may provoke a defensive reaction. If a raccoon appears sick, injured, or displays unusual behavior like disorientation or aggression, contact local animal control or wildlife professionals for assistance. These specialists are equipped to safely handle diseased or dangerous animals.