Raccoons are easily recognizable thanks to their black facial markings and ringed tails, but did you know there are so many more fascinating facts about raccoons to discover? Dive into these fun facts about raccoons for kids and become a raccoon expert!
Did you know that raccoons originated in North America but somehow have managed to spread around the globe? Typically they are found deep in the forest or in neighborhoods.
Raccoons are very known to be pretty mischievous, but there is so much more about raccoons than people tend to know. Did you know that they are highly intelligent and adaptable?
Get ready to learn even more fun facts about their life cycle, behaviors, what they eat, and more with these raccoon facts you will love.
Fascinating Facts about Raccoons
- Raccoons will literally eat anything they can find, even your trash.
- Bread makes Raccoons have an upset tummy, so they avoid bread.
- In addition to your trash, they enjoy nuts, berries, and small mammals.
- Even if there is no water, Raccoons make the motions like they are washing their food.
- Raccoons live in North and Central America.
- They prefer dense forests or places with plenty of water.
- They do not like living in the deserts because it is too dry.
- Raccoons have the same level of intelligence as a cat.
- If you look at a Raccoon’s hands, they look very similar to a human’s hands.
- Their hands have five fingers, allowing them to open doors, lids, and even jars!
- Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night.
- Since they are active at night, their eyes have adapted to seeing near-darkness.
- Even though they have amazing night vision, they are color blind.
- Raccoons are solitary animals and like to be alone.
- Baby Raccoons stay with their mother for about a year.
- Raccoons are excellent climbers.
- When needed, they can climb up to 35 feet in a tree.
- Raccoons like a good swim and can hold their breath for up to 30 seconds.
- Since Raccoons like to climb, their hind feet actually rotate to help them climb down and head first out of trees.
- The average lifespan of a Raccoon in the wild is 2-3 years.
- In captivity, they can live to be over 20 years old.
- There are 22 species of Raccoons.
- Raccoon skin used to be worn in clothing and hats due to their dense fur.
- Raccoons use their sense of touch more than any other sense.
- In 1926, President Coolidge had a pet raccoon named Rebecca.
- A baby Raccoon is called a ‘Kit’.
- Raccoon moms teach their babies how to survive.
- The name Raccoon comes from the Native American word ‘aroughcun’ which means ‘one who scratches with its hands’.
- In German, they are called Waschbär, which means ‘wash bear’.
- Wild Raccoons are known to carry rabies.
- A male Raccoon is called a boar.
- Wild Raccoons hibernate in the winter.
- Raccoons, like bears, gain weight before hibernating.
- Raccoons have to watch out for predators such as coyotes, wolves, hawks, and owls.
- The average Raccoon weighs around 15 pounds.
- In the past, people thought Raccoons and Panda were related.
- Raccoons have their own form of communication and demonstrated over 200 different communication sounds.
- Raccoons can run up to 15 miles per hour.
- Raccoons are very shy of people and will usually run away.
- To keep Raccoons away from your house, use cayenne pepper. They hate the smell!
Do you know any other raccoon facts? Be sure to leave them in the comments! We’d love to hear.
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