Tag Archives: raccoon facts

The Fascinating Agility of the Common Raccoon

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The Common Raccoon is a fascinating mammal to learn about all around, but their quickness and dexterity are especially intriguing. Wild raccoons have human-like paws that allows them to grasp, pull, push, and pry just like our hands! On top of dexterous paws and sharp claws, raccoons are highly intelligent creatures that can remember, solve problems, and plan better than most other forest animals.

These attributes and more contribute to a raccoon’s agility and allows them to be better predators, breeders, and gatherers, and to better protect themselves and their young from harm. Continue reading to learn about raccoon agility, and what they are physically capable of in the wild.

Raccoon Behavior

Raccoons are highly agile mammals, capable of running, climbing, and even swimming, starting at a young age. As early as a few months old, raccoon babies, called “kits” or “pups”, are learning all of these abilities and more from their mother. Soon after, they are ready to be out on their own, climbing and swimming and running and hunting with the rest of the pack!

Raccoons are fairly fast runners for a medium-sized forest mammal. They can achieve short distance running sprint speeds of ten to fifteen miles per hour. That’s faster than some overweight house cats! And because raccoon’s hind legs are longer than their front, they appear hunched whether walking or running.

Running is not the raccoon’s most impressive ability. Truth be told, they are excellent climbers. Raccoons use trees for protection when raising their young, to hide from grounded predators, and to dine on all the wonderful yields a tree has to offer (i.e. acorns, fruits, nuts, etc.). Raccoons can climb trees as high as 50 feet or more, with really no limit in height, only in desire!

Aside from running and swimming, raccoons are good swimmers too. Yes they can swim, and at a very young age (as young as 7 weeks old)! Not only can raccoons swim, they can remain in water for several hours, but not underwater of course. Raccoons are warm-blooded mammals that need oxygen to breathe!

If you have a raccoon problem on your property, call a professional wildlife rescue and control company for safe and humane raccoon removal services. Raccoons are known to climb roofs, access homes, get into swimming pools, and cause an endless potential for mess and structural damage.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for safe and humane, non-lethal raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and experienced wildlife removal contractors that provide residential and commercial wildlife control services at the most competitive prices in town. We will get rid of raccoons at a fair and honest price, and with a level of professionalism that will leave you satisfied. Call 317-535-4605 for Indianapolis raccoon removal and control you can count on!

Exotic South and Central American Raccoon Species

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Since the mid-twentieth century, raccoons have inhabited various parts of the world, outside the United States. In fact, species of raccoon were deliberately introduced to parts of Europe and Asia during these times. Now, raccoons are found in Central and South America, regions in Asia, Europe, and even in the Caribbean!

Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about exotic raccoon species found around the South and Central Americas.

Indianapolis IN Raccoon Removal Service 317-535-4605
Crab-Eating Raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus)

South and Central American Raccoons

In these parts of the world, several raccoon species can be found. For example, the Crab-Eating raccoon is a commonly spotted species in the jungles and marshes of the central and south Americas. They are scientifically referred to as Procyon Cancrivorus. Its most distinguishable physical characteristic is its short brown and grey-white fur that almost resembles a salt-and-pepper beard. They can grow to be anywhere from eighteen to thirty inches or more; and typically weigh between five to thirty pounds. Crab-eating raccoons obviously eat crabs; but they also hunt, capture, and feed off other shellfish and aquatic insects and invertebrates.

Tres Marias Raccoon

Also found in these regions is the Tres Marias Raccoon. Scientifically referred to as Procyon Insularis; these raccoons live on the Maria Madre Island, off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico. It is similar to the crab-eating species in that it also dines on shellfish and aquatic animals; but they also feed on forest findings like nuts and seeds. The Tres Marias Raccoon has a golden brown hue to its tail, and a pale brown body. According to the Mexican government, the Tres Marias raccoon species is endangered and limited. This makes them a protected species as well.

Guadeloupe Raccoon

Another interesting Central and South American raccoon is the Guadeloupe Raccoon. Although on a French-controlled island, the Guadeloupe Raccoon is a true rain forest dweller. It feeds on frogs, snails, acorns, berries, and of course fish. They have dark gray bodies and bushy gray-white tails; making them appears different than most other raccoon species. They are scientifically called Procyon Minor, particularly because they are smaller than most raccoon species as well.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

If you need Indianapolis Raccoon Removal, call our pros at 317-535-4605 right now. We are DNR licensed and insured raccoon control specialists with more than 30 years of experience safely and humanely removing raccoons. We use state of the art technology and modern methods to extract raccoons safely, without harming them or your property.

Interesting Raccoon Facts

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Raccoons have a bad rep when it comes to residential communities and neighborhoods.  It’s well-known that raccoons in these areas have become a nuisance as a result of their uncontrollable curiosity and acute intelligence.  These raccoons are pest and should be safely and professionally controlled by a licensed and reputable company.  On the other hand, raccoons in the wild are an interesting breed and their fun and fascinating qualities are often times over looked due to their destructive and obtrusive behavior in and around our homes.  Read on to get a different look at raccoons and how they live in nature when they’re not stealing our garbage.

Raccoons live in homes called dens.  In these dens, mother raccoons breed and care for their young.  A raccoon den is usually made from a hole in a tree, a hollow log, or an abandoned animal burrow.  You see, raccoons rarely dig their own burrows; they prefer to re-use another animals’ home.  Raccoons also use these dens to hibernate through the colder seasons.

That’s right, raccoons hibernate.  In the colder months out of the year, raccoons will stow away in their war dark dens and sleep through the majority of the season.  Raccoons do hibernate, but their hibernation period is different from other well-known hibernating animals, such as bears.  Raccoons will only hibernate for a period of weeks, rather than the entire season.  Before hibernating, they will work hard to store fat and calories to sustain their bodies during their sleep.

Another great fact that many people neglect to consider, is the fact that raccoons have predators.  It seems odd that there are animals that like the taste of raccoon, but why should it when we often eat raccoon too!  Larger mammals like coyotes, mountain lions, cougars, and even domestic dogs will prey on raccoons.  They can be preyed upon just as much as other hunted animals in the wild.  To a carnivore, meat is meat.

For more information about raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana, give us a call at 317-535-4605 today.  We are a professional raccoon control company that safely and humanely removes raccoons from residential and commercial properties all across Indy.  We are happy to provide free estimates, advice, and tips on raccoon removal in Indianapolis, IN anytime!