Introduction
Some of the most easily recognizable animals, raccoons, are also often called “trash pandas” due to their striped tails and partially covered eyes. These clever animals are ubiquitous and never satisfied with their needs. Many people have come to appreciate raccoons despite their destructive tendencies and insatiable appetites for food.
They eat like scavengers, relying on available food to stay alive. They can eat better in captivity because they aren’t constantly foraging for food. Despite popular belief, raccoons consume little outside fruit, vegetables, and animal protein when given the chance. Let’s investigate What Do Raccoons In The Wild Eat.
Raccoons Are What Kind Of Animals?
While raccoons have widespread familiarity, their precise identity and family of animals are only sometimes understood. Native to the Americas, raccoons are members of the Procyonid family of animals, including ringtails, kinkajous, and coatis. Raccoons come in various sizes and shapes, with 22 distinct subspecies.
Raccoons are easily recognizable by their black eye stripe, white or gray hair, and long, typically striped tails. The fangs and claws of a raccoon are extremely sharp, attacking one extremely unpleasant. They only live from one to four years in the wild but up to fifteen in captivity.
The front paws, which are especially sensitive, are used for opening containers and searching for food. Raccoons are quite persistent when they set their minds on a goal. They don’t mind dumpsters or garbage cans and often find the scraps of food they need to survive among the discards.
Can You Tell Me What Wild Raccoons Eat?
Because of their omnivorous nature, raccoons enjoy various plant- and animal-based foods. Raccoons can be seen during the day on rare occasions, although they spend most of their time foraging at night. These animals are real omnivores, eating anything from insects to plants.
Raccoons will consume almost anything near water, including amphibians, fish, and bird eggs. Raccoons will eat almost everything, yet there are a few things they should avoid. Raccoons typically seek easier prey, but some species may eat small birds and other animals if they can capture them.
The dousing behavior of raccoons is a big part of the animal’s notoriety. They will often visit the shores of rivers and lakes to “wash” their food by soaking it in water. There are a few hypotheses about why zoo-exhibited raccoons spray their food. Whatever the motivation, this is only one of many suspicious behaviors associated with these animals.
Why Is It That Racoons Feast On Trash?
Raccoons are well known for their penchant for dumpster diving. Numerous films depict raccoons living up to their “trash panda” moniker by rummaging through trash cans and being trapped in large city dumpsters. Even though it sounds ridiculous, raccoons must do it to make a living.
Due to the extensive destruction of their natural habitat, raccoons have had to seek food in strange areas, including garbage cans, gardens, and even garages. The fact that they have to scavenge rather than actively seek out food contributes to their very short lifespans.
Some people’s tendency to feed raccoons encourages them to return and scavenge in unwanted areas. Wild creatures like raccoons and deer will return for more food, even though it’s never a good idea to feed them. Getting up close and personal with wild creatures is tempting, but doing so is never a good idea.
What Do Captive Raccoons Typically Consume?
Despite their impressive foraging abilities, Raccoons do better in captivity since they aren’t under any pressure to find food. Fish, poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, insects, and even dog food are all part of the varied diet that captive raccoons receive to come as near as possible to their normal diet in the wild.
To avoid making a mess while eating, raccoons require constant clean water. They won’t drink dirty water. Therefore, it needs to be changed periodically to keep them healthy. There should be no rules against the ritual of dousing. They will pour water over anything, particularly dry items like dog food.
Raccoons in captivity are often given breakfast and dinner twice daily. On the other hand, raccoons in zoos and sanctuaries get individualized diets designed by veterinarians to meet their specific nutritional requirements. A specialist in exotic animals is the best person to advise you on what to feed your pet raccoon.
What Should You Never Give A Raccoon?
Although raccoons are known for foraging in garbage cans, other foods can still fool them. Raccoons share a toxicity to onions, garlic, and chocolate with domesticated canines and felines. They should avoid raisins as well, although fresh grapes are OK. Nuts and other high-fat foods should be given to pets in moderation to prevent weight gain and other health problems.
Do Racoons Make Decent Pets?
Even exotic species with challenging maintenance needs can make wonderful companions. However, unless you have extensive experience caring for exotic animals, keeping a raccoon as a “pet” is probably not a good idea. A raccoon may bite without provocation if it is feeling threatened or angry.
Raccoons make fantastic first impressions as pets since they are docile and appear domesticated as infants and young adults. However, many raccoons reach adulthood and are released back into the wild or turned to sanctuaries. This is because mature raccoons are more likely to attack, and their bites and scratches can cause moderate harm.
Knowing proper raccoon care is crucial if you intend to own one. Raccoons are wild animals with complicated demands, making them unsuitable pets for most people. Because of how easily they can turn dangerous, they are inappropriate for households with children.
Is It Possible To Own A Racoon In The USA?
Raccoons, strangely, are permitted to own in some states. Regarding exotic pets, some states are more lenient than others. Raccoons as pets are illegal in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
Check your local ordinances before bringing home a raccoon as a pet. Find a reliable breeder, and never bring in a wild raccoon. Finding a pet raccoon breeder is important since wild raccoons and bred and confined raccoons have quite distinct personalities. Instead of keeping a baby raccoon as a pet, you should call a refuge if you find one outside.
Conclusion
Raccoons redefine the word “omnivore” because they will consume virtually everything. Raccoons in captivity are given a varied diet, including plant matter and animal products like chicken and dry dog kibble. They are resourceful creatures that will resort to eating garbage to stay alive. Even tamer raccoons in captivity can cause trouble, so be ready to take care of a demanding pet. Their pricey dietary needs further compound the challenges of keeping one as a pet.
Despite their cute appearance, wild animals like raccoons should not be fed. They’ll keep coming back for more, and they’ll bring their friends. They will likely start begging for food from other people as a result. If you have raccoons in your trash, keep them from getting into your trash cans by securing them.
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