Wildlife Control

Overview of the Raccoon’s Diet

Omnivorous and Opportunistic Nature

Most wildlife control companies know what city raccoons love to eat because when the time comes to set a cage trap to catch one, we don’t waste time with healthy snacks. KFC is my top choice for a stubborn, trap-shy raccoon because they simply can’t resist the smell of all those tasty spices. 

But what about a raccoons natural diet? Raccoons will eat whatever they can find; they are omnivores, eating both animal-based and plant-based foods.

Raccoons eat almost anything and consume a wide range of food available in their environment, whether in rural, suburban, or urban areas. They are opportunistic feeders, adapting their dietary habits based on the availability of different food sources.

Raccoon Diet Composition

Animal-Based Foods: Bird Eggs

• Small mammals (e.g., rats, mice)
• Birds and their eggs
• Amphibians (e.g., frogs)
• They can catch fish and crayfish
• Insects and other invertebrates
• Raccoons’ vocalizations can resemble those of other wild animals, and they may exhibit behaviours similar to other wild animals when foraging for food.

Plant-Based Foods

• Fruits and berries
• Nuts
• Vegetation and other plant materials

Human-Related Food Sources: Open Garbage Cans

• Food scraps from trash bins and dumpsters
• Pet food left outdoors
• Remnants from bird feeders
• In early summer, raccoons will eat fish from your koi ponds

Baby Raccoons Diet

Seasonal Feeding Patterns

Winter Foraging Behaviour

• Raccoons enter a state of torpor (a semi-hibernation) during colder months
• On mild winter nights, they forage for available food such as insects, berries, nuts, fruits, and other wildlife
• May also scavenge dead animals (e.g., roadkill) and continue to exploit human-related food sources, e.g., they can gain access and open garbage cans

Feeding Environments

Urban Environments: Trash Cans

• Increased access to human food sources (e.g., trash, pet food, bird feeders)
• Adaptability to urban settings greatly enhances their diverse diet

Natural Habitats

• Reliance on naturally occurring prey (they will eat rats and other small animals, birds, bird eggs, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates)
• Foraging for wild fruits, berries, nuts, and vegetation

Young raccoons are particularly vulnerable to predators such as snakes, and their diet includes a variety of fruits, berries, and small animals as they grow.

Raccoon Diet in the Wild

Natural Food Sources and Foraging Strategies

Raccoons are highly adaptable and opportunistic omnivores, which means they eat a wide variety of foods in the wild. Their natural diet consists of various sources of protein, including small mammals, birds and eggs, insects, reptiles and amphibians, fish and aquatic animals, and plants, fruits, and nuts.

In the wild, raccoons forage for food using their keen sense of smell and sensitive sense of touch. They are skilled at finding food in various environments, from dense forests to wetlands. Their diet varies depending on the season and availability of food.

Some Common Natural Food Sources For Raccoons Include:

• Small mammals: mice, rats, and squirrels
• Birds and eggs: raccoons will raid nests for baby birds and eggs, providing essential nutrients
• Insects: crickets, beetles, and caterpillars form an essential part of their diet, especially during the summer months when these are abundant
• Reptiles and amphibians: frogs and small snakes are also part of a raccoon’s diet
• Fish and aquatic animals: raccoons often forage along the edges of water bodies, where they catch fish, crayfish, and even turtles
• Plants, fruits, and nuts: wild raccoons consume a variety of fruits, berries, and nuts like beachnuts and acorns

Raccoons are also known to eat carrion, or dead animals, which provides an easy and rich source of nutrients.

Raccoon Feeding Habits

Behavioural Patterns and Adaptations

Raccoons are solitary animals, except during mating season, and tend to hunt during the night and dine alone. They are voracious feeders, especially during the spring and summer.

In urban areas, raccoons have adapted to live near humans and will eat food found in or near trash cans, bird feeders, and pet food. They are attracted to easy food sources and will often raid gardens, crops, and livestock.

Some Common Behavioral Patterns And Adaptations Of Raccoons Include:

• Raccoons are skilled climbers and will often raid bird nests and gardens
• They are excellent swimmers and will catch fish and other aquatic animals
• Raccoons are known to “wash” or dunk their food in water before eating it, which is believed to be a sensory behaviour that helps them identify the food
• They are opportunistic feeders and will eat a wide variety of foods, including human food and garbage

It’s essential to note that feeding raccoons is not recommended, as it can lead to dependency on human food and disrupt their natural foraging habits.

Raccoon Nutrition and Health

Nutritional Needs and Health Implications

Raccoons have specific nutritional needs that are met through their diverse diet. They require a balanced diet that includes protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Some Essential Nutrients For Raccoons Include:

• Protein: necessary for growth and maintenance of tissues
• Fat: provides energy and helps maintain body temperature
• Carbohydrates: provides energy and supports digestive health
• Vitamins and minerals: essential for various bodily functions, such as immune function and bone health

A Diet Lacking In Essential Nutrients Can Lead To Health Problems In Raccoons, Including:

• Malnutrition: can lead to weight loss, weakness, and impaired immune function
• Obesity: can lead to various health problems, including diabetes and heart disease
• Nutrient deficiencies: can lead to specific health problems, such as vitamin D deficiency, which can cause bone disorders

Conclusion

It’s essential to note that raccoons can carry and transmit diseases, such as rabies and raccoon roundworm, which can have significant health implications for humans and other animals.