What Do Raccoons Eat?

Raccoons are not picky eaters and will eat almost anything available. Fruit is one of their favorite foods. They love berries, persimmons, and figs when in season. American persimmon is a natural food found in many forests. Raccoons also eat nuts and seeds. As omnivores, raccoons hunt and eat small animals. They catch frogs, crayfish, and small fish. Snapping turtles can be prey for raccoons. Raccoons also hunt small mammals like mice and shrews. In cities and towns, raccoons eat from garbage cans, compost piles, and bird feeders. They are clever and learn how to open trash cans and doors. Raccoons will even raid chicken coops for eggs and birds. In the wild, raccoons also eat insects and larvae. They dig in soil and under logs to find grubs and worms. This varied diet makes raccoons very adaptable to living in many different environments.

Raccoons adjust their eating patterns to match seasonal food availability. In spring, they hunt eggs and newly born birds and mammals. As plants leaf out, raccoons eat more vegetation. They also hunt frogs when they return to ponds for breeding. Summer brings plenty of food. Raccoons feast on berries and fruits as they ripen. They catch fish and crayfish in streams and ponds. Insects become easier to find. Gardens attract raccoons looking for corn, melons, and other vegetables. Fall is a busy eating season for raccoons. They prepare for winter by eating as much as possible. Nuts become available, and raccoons gather acorns and other seeds. Persimmons and apples attract them to orchards. They also raid gardens for any remaining vegetables. Winter is harder for raccoons. Food is scarce and raccoons must search harder. They eat carrion and any garbage they find. In mild winters, they eat more. In harsh winters, raccoons den up and sleep, using body fat stored from fall abundance.

Raccoons live across most of North America and eat different foods by region. In California, raccoons have access to chaparral plants, coastal fruits, and urban garbage. The fauna and climate there is different from other regions. In Texas, raccoons enjoy a long warm season with year-round foraging. They find different fruits and nuts compared to northern raccoons. In Florida, raccoons encounter tropical and subtropical plants. They hunt different frogs and fish species found in that climate. In northern regions, raccoons prepare harder for winter since food becomes scarce. In southern regions, raccoons have more year-round food options. Urban raccoons everywhere have learned to thrive on human food in garbage. Rural raccoons rely more on wild plants and animals. Coastal raccoons may eat crabs and marine creatures. Forest raccoons hunt different small animals based on what lives there. Raccoons are smart and adapt quickly to whatever region they inhabit.

Raccoons are mostly active at night and do much of their hunting after dark. They have sensitive front paws with five fingers that help them manipulate objects. Raccoons use their paws to feel in water for fish and crayfish without looking. They are excellent swimmers and dive underwater to catch prey. On land, raccoons use their sense of smell to find food. They can smell a turtle buried in mud or grubs under soil. Raccoons dig with their front paws to uncover insects and larvae. They turn over logs and rocks looking for prey. Raccoons are agile climbers and raid bird nests in trees. They climb down into trash cans to find food. Raccoons also hunt by stalking small animals like mice and frogs. They watch and wait for the right moment to pounce. In cities, raccoons have learned to open containers and doors to access human food. This intelligence and adaptability make raccoons very successful at finding meals in any setting.

Baby raccoons are called kits. Newborn kits nurse on their mother's milk for the first few weeks. At around two months old, kits begin eating solid food. Their mother brings them small prey like insects and frogs. Kits learn by watching their mother hunt and forage. As they grow, kits practice catching prey and becoming more successful hunters. Weaning happens at around three to four months old. Young raccoons continue learning about which foods are safe and which are best. They find seasonal food sources with their mother's guidance. By the time a kit reaches six months old, it can hunt and forage independently. Young raccoons learn where to find garbage cans and how to open them. They also learn which neighborhoods and parks have easy food access. A juvenile raccoon will sometimes stay with its mother through its first fall and early winter. This extended family time helps the young raccoon build survival skills before living alone.

Raccoons have become very successful at living near human homes and cities. They raid garbage cans, compost piles, and garden vegetables. Pet food left outside attracts raccoons. Raccoons can be bold and will enter homes through pet doors or open windows. They may damage property searching for food. While it might seem kind to feed raccoons, this is not recommended. Feeding wild raccoons makes them dependent on people. They lose their natural fear of humans and become bolder. Fed raccoons are more likely to enter homes and cause damage. They can carry rabies and other diseases and may bite if approached. The best approach is to keep garbage secured, remove pet food at night, and install chimney caps. Do not feed raccoons directly or leave food out for them. Secure compost piles and garden fences to prevent raccoon damage. Respecting their space and keeping them wild is best for both people and raccoons.

Raccoons share their neighborhoods and forests with other omnivorous animals. Opossums are another animal that eats both plants and meat. Opossums are smaller than raccoons and less bold around people. They hunt insects, small animals, and eat fruit. Foxes are carnivores that eat more meat and less fruit than raccoons. Black bears are larger than raccoons and eat much more volume. Bears are omnivores like raccoons but also hunt larger prey. Raccoons are unique in their intelligence and ability to manipulate objects. Their five-fingered paws are especially useful for opening containers. Visit the wildlife page to learn about other animals in your region. Raccoons are more successful than many similar species at adapting to city life. This ability to thrive among humans while remaining wild is what makes raccoons so common and visible. Understanding their diet helps explain why raccoons are attracted to human areas and what to do about it. Explore raccoon sounds to hear them in action.