40 Pawsome Facts About Raccoons

Discover these fascinating facts about raccoons! Learn about their clever adaptations, naughty behavior, and surprising intelligence. From their distinctive masked faces to their habitats, dive into the world of these crafty critters.

Raccoons are mischievous and intelligent creatures. They are excellent at getting into trouble, and your trash! Those who live in the mountains of the United States have to take precautions so Raccoons, or ‘trash pandas,’ will not dump out all their trash!

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Facts About Raccoons

From their mischievous antics to surprising intelligence, these furry bandits will fascinate you. Enjoy a pawsome journey through the world of raccoons, and you’ll never look at these adorable trash pandas the same way again!

1. Raccoons will literally eat anything they can find, even your trash.
2. Bread makes Raccoons have an upset tummy, so they avoid bread.
3. In addition to your trash, they enjoy nuts, berries, and small mammals.
4. Even if there is no water, Raccoons make the motions like they are washing their food. 
5. Raccoons live in North and Central America.

6. They prefer dense forests or places with plenty of water. 
7. They do not like living in the deserts because it is too dry.
8. Raccoons have the same level of intelligence as a cat. 
9. If you look at a Raccoon’s hands, they look very similar to a human’s hands. 
10. Their hands have five fingers, allowing them to open doors, lids, and even jars!

11. Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night. 
12. Since they are active at night, their eyes have adapted to seeing near-darkness.
13. Even though they have fantastic night vision, they are color blind.
14. Raccoons are solitary animals and like to be alone. 
15. Baby Raccoons stay with their mother for about a year. 

16. Raccoons are excellent climbers.
17. When needed, they can climb up to 35 feet in a tree.
18. Raccoons like a good swim and can hold their breath for up to 30 seconds. 
19. Since Raccoons like to climb, their hind feet rotate to help them climb down and head first out of trees. 
20. The average lifespan of a Raccoon in the wild is 2-3 years. 

21. In captivity, they can live to be over 20 years old. 
22. There are 22 species of Raccoons. 
23. Due to their dense fur, raccoon skin used to be worn in clothing and hats. 
24. Raccoons use their sense of touch more than any other sense. 
25. In 1926, President Coolidge had a pet raccoon named Rebecca. 

26. A baby Raccoon is called a ‘Kit’.
27. Raccoon moms teach their babies how to survive.
28. The name Raccoon comes from the Native American word ‘aroughcun’ which means ‘one who scratches with its hands’.
29. In German, they are called Waschbär, which means ‘wash bear’.
30. Wild Raccoons are known to carry rabies. 

31. A male Raccoon is called a boar.
32. Wild Raccoons hibernate in the winter. 
33. Raccoons, like bears, gain weight before hibernating.
34. Raccoons must watch out for predators such as coyotes, wolves, hawks, and owls.
35. The average Raccoon weighs around 15 pounds.

36. In the past, people thought Raccoons and Panda were related.
37. Raccoons have their own form of communication and demonstrate over 200 different communication sounds. 
38. Raccoons can run up to 15 miles per hour. 
39. Raccoons are very shy of people and will usually run away. 
40. To keep Raccoons away from your house, use cayenne pepper. They hate the smell!

Hopefully, you learned something new about these adorable and mischievous “Trash Pandas.” If you did, let us know what you learned in the comments!