Raccoons are adaptable omnivores found in many environments, often visiting gardens for food. This article discusses whether they eat potatoes, safety concerns, their general diet, and garden protection methods.
Do Raccoons Eat Potatoes
Raccoons can and sometimes do eat potatoes, but these tubers are not typically a primary or preferred food source. As opportunistic omnivores, raccoons will consume what is available, especially if other food sources are scarce. Raccoons may dig into the ground to find potatoes and will eat them raw.
While they might nibble on the leaves or stems, raccoons generally prefer other items like sweet corn, fruits, or insects. Their consumption of potatoes often depends on how easily accessible they are within a garden.
Are Potatoes Safe for Raccoons
Raw potatoes contain solanine, a natural compound found throughout the plant, particularly in green parts, sprouts, and the skin. This compound acts as a natural defense mechanism. In large amounts, solanine can be toxic to some animals, causing gastrointestinal issues. While raccoons appear to have a higher tolerance, high levels could still pose health risks.
It is advisable to avoid feeding raccoons raw potatoes, especially those with green coloration or sprouts, due to potential solanine toxicity. Cooked potatoes generally have lower solanine levels, but they are not an ideal food source. Solanine concentration increases when potatoes are exposed to light, are bruised, or begin to sprout.
Broader Raccoon Diet and Habits
Raccoons are highly adaptable omnivores, meaning their diet includes both plant and animal matter. Their food choices vary based on environment, season, and availability. In natural settings, their diet commonly includes fruits, berries, nuts, grains, insects (like grubs and worms), and aquatic life (crayfish, frogs, fish).
Small mammals, birds, and eggs are also part of their diet. In human-populated areas, raccoons forage in trash cans, consume outdoor pet food, and raid gardens for produce like sweet corn, melons, and berries. Their opportunistic nature means they will take advantage of any accessible food source.
Protecting Your Garden
To prevent raccoons from damaging garden crops, several protective measures can be implemented. Installing a secure fence around the garden is a highly effective deterrent. An electric fence with two wires, one 4 to 6 inches and another 12 inches above the ground, can be particularly effective. Removing attractants from the yard is also important, such as securing trash cans with locking lids and bringing pet food indoors at night.
Harvesting ripe produce promptly can reduce the appeal of the garden to raccoons. Various deterrents can also be used, including motion-activated lights or sprinklers that startle raccoons. Some gardeners also report success with strong scents like cayenne pepper, Irish Spring soap, or ammonia, which can be scattered or sprayed around the garden perimeter. Planting prickly squash vines around other crops may also discourage raccoons.