Raccoons are common throughout Arizona, adapting to various environments across the state. Recognized by their distinctive facial masks, these mammals are a regular part of Arizona’s diverse wildlife. Primarily nocturnal, their presence is widespread, from natural habitats to urban settings. Understanding their characteristics and behaviors helps in coexisting with them.
Types of Raccoons Found in Arizona
The common raccoon (Procyon lotor) is the species found across Arizona. This medium-sized mammal typically weighs between 4 and 23 pounds, though some individuals can reach up to 35 pounds. They are identifiable by their black mask across the eyes, white facial fur, and bushy, ringed tail. Their highly dexterous front paws, resembling small human hands, enable them to manipulate objects, forage, and climb effectively. Raccoons are highly adaptable omnivores, meaning they consume a wide range of foods, which contributes to their success in diverse environments.
Raccoon Habitats Across Arizona
Raccoons are highly adaptable creatures found throughout Arizona, particularly where a consistent water source is available. They commonly inhabit moist woodlands, riparian zones, and areas along rivers, streams, and irrigation ditches. These environments provide essential access to water, diverse food sources, and suitable denning sites.
Beyond natural landscapes, raccoons thrive in agricultural, suburban, and urban settings. Cities and towns offer abundant food, like discarded human food and pet food, and numerous shelter opportunities. They utilize structures such as chimneys, attics, sheds, garages, and spaces under houses or abandoned buildings for denning. Even in parts of the Sonoran Desert, raccoons can establish populations near a reliable water source. Their ability to find shelter in hollow trees, rocky ledges, or caves, combined with their varied diet, allows them to occupy a broad spectrum of Arizona’s landscapes.
Coexisting with Raccoons
Living in areas frequented by raccoons requires adopting practices to prevent conflicts and ensure safety. Secure all potential food sources around your property. Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids, bungee cords, or heavy weights, and ideally store them in a garage or shed. Feed pets indoors, and remove any outdoor pet food bowls, especially at night.
To prevent raccoons from seeking shelter, seal entry points into your home or outbuildings. Cover chimneys with mesh caps, repair gaps in siding or roofing, and secure crawl spaces and attics. Trimming tree branches that hang close to your roof, maintaining a three-foot gap, can also deter them.
It is not advisable to intentionally feed raccoons or any wild animals. Feeding can make them less wary of humans, altering their natural behaviors and potentially leading to nuisance issues. Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies, distemper, and roundworm, so avoid direct contact. If a raccoon appears sick, injured, or behaves unusually, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department.