The common raccoon, recognizable by its distinct facial mask, is a highly adaptable mammal frequently encountered in both urban and rural environments across North America. Voles, which are small rodents resembling mice with shorter tails and rounder bodies, are also widespread and often live near human habitation. The question of whether the raccoon preys on the vole centers on the intersection of the raccoon’s versatile diet and the vole’s ground-dwelling habits.
Raccoons as Opportunistic Predators
Raccoons are classified as omnivores, meaning their diet naturally consists of both plant and animal matter. This broad dietary range is a major factor in their ability to thrive in diverse ecosystems, from dense forests to suburban neighborhoods. Raccoons are highly opportunistic feeders; their meals are determined by what is most accessible at any given time and location.
The animal portion of their diet includes a wide array of protein sources, such as insects, grubs, crayfish, and various small vertebrates. They possess sensitive front paws, which they use with great dexterity to manipulate objects and forage for food in crevices, under logs, or in water. This adaptability means they will readily consume whatever is available, including human refuse in populated areas.
The Role of Voles in the Raccoon Diet
The direct answer is yes; voles are a documented part of the raccoon’s diet. While voles are generally not the most significant component of their annual food intake compared to invertebrates or fruits, they are readily consumed when encountered. Raccoons hunt small mammals, including mice, rabbits, and voles, especially when other food sources become scarce.
Voles often serve as an incidental protein source during the raccoon’s nocturnal foraging routine. The frequency of this predation is directly influenced by the local vole population density and the availability of other food items. During periods of low resource availability, such as winter or early spring, a small, easily captured mammal like a vole becomes a worthwhile target.
Vole Habitat and Accessibility
The specific living arrangement of the vole makes it particularly vulnerable to the raccoon’s hunting style. Voles are ground dwellers that create extensive networks of runways and shallow burrows just beneath the surface of the soil. They favor areas with dense ground cover, such as tall grass, mulch, or leaf litter, which provides both food and protection.
Raccoons are skilled at probing and light digging, abilities that allow them to exploit this subterranean habitat. Using their sensitive paws, raccoons can detect the presence of small prey moving beneath the soil or ground cover. The combination of the vole’s near-surface tunneling and the raccoon’s tactile foraging technique ensures that voles are accessible and occasionally captured.