Many assume raccoons bury their feces like domestic cats. This is a misconception, as raccoons practice a highly specific waste disposal method. These mammals deliberately deposit their waste in designated, shared areas called communal latrines. This behavior is a fundamental part of their natural history. The establishment of these fixed locations serves several purposes within the raccoon social structure and environment.
Why Raccoons Use Communal Latrines
A raccoon latrine is a site where multiple raccoons repeatedly defecate, creating a concentrated pile of feces, or scat, over time. These locations are easily recognizable and often found on raised, flat surfaces such as the tops of decks, sheds, flat roofs, or large rocks. They may also be established at the base of large trees or along fence lines.
The scat is typically dark, tubular, and segmented, measuring approximately two to three inches long and about a half-inch in diameter. The appearance of the droppings varies significantly depending on the animal’s diet, frequently containing visible evidence of undigested food like seeds, berries, or insect exoskeletons. Raccoons keep these latrines separate from their den sites and foraging areas, illustrating localized hygiene.
The Biological and Social Functions of Latrines
Communal defecation is a complex behavior with significant biological and social implications. Latrines function as a form of olfactory communication, serving as a social bulletin board for raccoons in a given area. The concentrated scent provides a wealth of information to any visiting raccoon.
These sites convey details about the presence, health, sex, and reproductive status of other raccoons in the local population. By establishing and visiting these sites, raccoons define their territory and communicate boundaries to neighboring groups or transient individuals. This behavior is common among the Procyonidae family as a way to manage space and social interactions without direct confrontation.
Health Risks and Safe Management
The presence of a raccoon latrine poses a public health hazard primarily due to the parasitic roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis. This parasite lives in the raccoon’s intestine and sheds millions of microscopic eggs daily through the feces. Once deposited, the eggs take approximately two to four weeks to become infectious to animals and humans.
Infection occurs when these eggs are inadvertently swallowed, leading to baylisascariasis. The larvae hatch inside the host and migrate through the organs, potentially causing severe neurological damage, blindness, or death, especially in young children. The infectious eggs are highly resilient and can survive in the environment for several years.
Safe cleanup of a latrine requires careful adherence to sanitation protocols to mitigate the risk of exposure. Protective gear, including disposable gloves, rubber boots, and an N95-rated particle mask, should be worn to prevent accidental ingestion or inhalation. The feces should be removed carefully with a shovel and double-bagged for disposal. Lightly misting the area with water beforehand helps prevent stirring up dust and aerosolizing the eggs.
Chemical disinfectants are generally ineffective against Baylisascaris eggs, but extreme heat will destroy them instantly. For hard surfaces, the area should be treated with boiling water or a steam cleaner to sanitize the site after the physical removal of the waste. Sweeping or vacuuming must be strictly avoided, as these actions can spread the infectious eggs into the air. If the latrine is on soil, the top two to four inches of contaminated dirt may need to be removed and discarded.