Raccoons: Our Backyard Bandits
Story by Christine Sudell
W
ho doesn’t think of a bandit when spotting a raccoon? With
dark fur circling their eyes like a mask, they certainly look the
part. Their nighttime forays into our trash cans further cement
this image. But we humans have pushed them into their “life
of crime” by invading the forests, which formed their original habitats, sending
them into marshes, plains, and even urban areas. It’s no wonder these resourceful
creatures occasionally enjoy munching on treats they find in our garbage. Of
course, raccoons savor other fare as well. They are omnivorous and dine on a
variety of small animals such as frogs, turtles, and little birds. On Kiawah, they can
also enjoy clams and other tiny shellfish. Plant foods such as acorns, berries, corn,
and peanuts are found on their menu as well.
When foraging for food near water, raccoons appear to use their dexterous
“hands” to wash off their meal. In reality, their highly sensitive paws are gathering
information about their catch. They will make similar motions with their paws
even when no water is available. In fact, the name “raccoon” comes from a Native
American word meaning “one who rubs and scratches with its hands.” Raccoons
use their dexterous front paws for other feats as well, such as opening latches and
doorknobs. With their keen intelligence, they can figure out how to perform tasks
that stump many other animals and can remember solutions to such problems for
up to three years. In addition to these skills, raccoons are fast runners (up to 15
miles per hour), nimble climbers, and good swimmers who can stay in the water
for hours at a time.
Home for these adaptable creatures can be any protected spot such as a hollow
tree, rock crevice, or abandoned woodchuck burrow. Sometimes they even move in
with us, residing in our crawl spaces, attics, and chimneys. Raccoons are nocturnal
and stay in their dens most of the day to avoid predators, which include wolves,
coyotes, and hawks. When it occasionally gets cold here on Kiawah, they rest at
home, where their bodies slow down for a few days, to avoid having to find food.
In colder climes, they may remain in this dormant state—which is distinct from
hibernating—for several months by relying on stores of body fat which they have
accumulated during warm weather.
Mating usually occurs in winter or early spring, with two to five young born
approximately two months later. The babies, called “kits,” stay at home in the
den with their mothers for about three months. After that, they venture out but
typically remain with their mothers until late fall. The males are polygamous and
take no responsibility for raising their young.
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Photo by Sue Corcoran