Raccoons are common in urban and suburban areas. These opportunistic animals often interact with human environments, leading to questions about their abilities, particularly their climbing skills. Raccoons are highly capable climbers, readily scaling various structures to access food, shelter, or to navigate their surroundings. Their adaptability and physical prowess allow them to overcome many common barriers.
Understanding Raccoon Agility
Raccoons possess physical characteristics that enable their climbing abilities. Their five-fingered front paws are highly dexterous, resembling miniature human hands, allowing them to grasp and manipulate objects with precision. These paws are equipped with sharp, non-retractable claws that provide excellent grip on rough surfaces like tree bark, brick, or chain-link fences.
A unique anatomical feature contributing to their climbing prowess is the ability to rotate their hind feet 180 degrees. This rotation allows raccoons to descend trees and other vertical surfaces headfirst, a feat few other animals can accomplish with such agility. Their strong limbs and flexible ankles further enhance their balance and coordination, making them effective at navigating branches and various structures. This combination of dexterity, grip, and flexibility allows raccoons to climb with remarkable efficiency in both natural and urban settings.
Fence Vulnerabilities
Raccoons can exploit various fence characteristics, making many common types vulnerable to their climbing skills. Chain-link fences, with their mesh openings, provide abundant footholds and handholds, allowing raccoons to ascend them with ease. Wooden fences, particularly those with horizontal slats or rough surfaces, also offer sufficient grip for their claws. Even seemingly smooth fences like vinyl can be scaled if they provide any texture or leverage.
Brick or stone walls, despite their solid appearance, often have enough rough texture and crevices for raccoons to climb. Ultimately, almost any fence can be climbed by a determined raccoon if it offers sufficient grip or leverage, demonstrating their adaptability to overcome barriers.
Preventing Raccoon Access
To deter raccoons from climbing fences and entering properties, a multi-faceted approach combining various methods is most effective. Installing smooth barriers near the top of fences can make climbing difficult; raccoons struggle with surfaces like glass or polished metal that offer no grip. Metal sheeting or PVC pipe rollers can be added to the top of fences, creating an unstable surface that prevents them from getting over. For added security, a low-voltage electric wire system can be highly successful, typically with two strands placed 6-12 inches above the ground and several inches out from the fence to deliver a discouraging, but not harmful, shock.
Trimming overhanging tree branches is an important step, as raccoons frequently use branches as bridges to bypass fences. Branches should be cut back sufficiently to prevent raccoons from jumping or reaching the fence line. Removing attractants like unsecured garbage, outdoor pet food, and fallen fruit is equally important, as these draw raccoons to a property. Ensuring trash cans have tight-fitting lids and storing pet food indoors can significantly reduce a yard’s appeal to raccoons.