Raccoons, like all mammals, possess salivary glands. These glands are a fundamental part of their biological makeup, producing saliva that plays various roles in their survival and daily activities. Reports of raccoons lacking salivary glands are inaccurate; research has confirmed they have normal, well-developed salivary glands.
The Multifaceted Role of Raccoon Saliva
Raccoon salivary glands produce saliva that serves several important physiological functions. This fluid is instrumental in the initial stages of digestion, moistening food to facilitate chewing and swallowing, and lubricating it as it travels through the digestive tract.
Beyond digestion, saliva contributes to oral hygiene by helping to cleanse the mouth and control bacterial populations. While raccoons are known for manipulating food in water, this “dunking” behavior is not due to a lack of salivary glands or a need to moisten food for digestion. Instead, it is thought to enhance their sense of touch, allowing them to gather more sensory information through the highly sensitive nerve endings in their paws.
Their highly developed sense of touch is important for tactile exploration, helping them perceive their environment and identify edible items, especially when foraging in dark or underwater conditions. Some theories suggest this manipulation also helps to soften food or remove unwanted particles. The presence of well-developed salivary glands ensures raccoons can process their diverse diet, which includes plant materials, insects, and small animals, regardless of external water availability.
Salivary Glands and Rabies Risk
The salivary glands of raccoons hold public health significance due to their role in rabies transmission. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, and raccoons are recognized as a primary carrier in North America. The virus, once it reaches an infected animal’s brain, multiplies rapidly and then travels to the salivary glands, where it is shed into the saliva.
Transmission of the rabies virus occurs through the bite of an infected animal, as the virus-laden saliva enters an open wound. Less commonly, exposure can also happen if infected saliva contacts mucous membranes or open cuts and scratches. The rabies virus is fragile and does not survive long outside a host; it is quickly inactivated by drying and sunlight.
Given the potential for rabies transmission, avoid direct contact with raccoons, especially those exhibiting unusual behaviors like lethargy, disorientation, unprovoked aggression, or unusual tameness. If a person is bitten or exposed to raccoon saliva, prompt medical evaluation and post-exposure prophylaxis are necessary to prevent the disease, which is fatal once symptoms appear. Vaccinating pets against rabies also helps create a barrier against the spread of the virus to humans.