Raccoons in South Carolina: Where to Look and What Signs to Watch For
Yes, raccoons are common throughout South Carolina. Your best odds are near water and wooded edges at dusk or dawn. Look for paired tracks and claw marks on trees. This guide covers where to find them, when they are active, and how to identify their signs.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Eastern Raccoon · Public domain CC0
Common Raccoon · sudomir CC BY
Common Raccoon · Public domain CC0
- 1
- species recorded
- 1,102
- GBIF records
- June, May, November
- peak months
Yes, raccoons are in South Carolina. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,464 verified observations on iNaturalist of raccoon have been recorded in South Carolina, most often in June, May, November.
When raccoon are recorded in South Carolina
Yes, raccoons are common throughout South Carolina. Your best odds are near water and wooded edges at dusk or dawn. Look for paired tracks and claw marks on trees. This guide covers where to find them, when they are active, and how to identify their signs.
Where are raccoons most likely in South Carolina?
Raccoons thrive across the state, but your best bets are near water sources like rivers, creeks, and marshes. They favor mixed hardwood forests with large trees for denning. In the upstate, look around the Chattooga River and Sumter National Forest. In the Lowcountry, try Francis Marion National Forest or along the Santee River. They also adapt well to suburban areas with ponds and trash bins.
What time of day are raccoons most active?
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, with peak activity from dusk through midnight. In spring and summer, they may be seen earlier if feeding hungry young. During fall, they spend more time foraging to build fat reserves. Early morning returns to dens can also yield sightings, especially near den trees. For reliable viewing, set up near a water source about 30 minutes before sunset.
How can a beginner identify raccoon tracks and sign?
Raccoon tracks look like tiny human handprints: five long toes and a large palm pad. Front prints are about 2–3 inches wide, rear prints slightly longer. Look for them in mud along stream banks or sandy trails. Other signs include scratched tree bark (from climbing), latrines at the base of trees or on logs, and overturned rocks or logs where they hunted for grubs. Their scat is blunt-ended and often contains seeds or insect parts.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
What do raccoons eat in South Carolina?
Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet shifts with the seasons: crayfish, frogs, and insects near water in spring; berries, fruits, and nuts in summer and fall; and small mammals, eggs, and human scraps year-round. In coastal areas, they also eat crabs and clams. Watching where a raccoon is feeding can help you spot them - look for overturned leaf litter or tipped trash cans.
When is the best season to see raccoons?
Late spring and early summer offer the best sightings because mothers are active during the day feeding kits, and juveniles begin exploring. Fall is also good as raccoons bulk up for winter and become less nocturnal. Winter sightings are rarer but possible on warm afternoons. In South Carolina's mild climate, raccoons do not truly hibernate, so you can find them year-round.
Are raccoons common in South Carolina cities like Charleston or Columbia?
Yes, raccoons are abundant in urban and suburban areas. In Charleston, look near the Battery seawall or along the Ashley River. In Columbia, check the Congaree River banks and parks. They are often seen raiding dumpsters, crossing roads at night, or denning in attics. Urban raccoons are bolder, but still cautious. Always watch from a distance and never feed them.
Raccoon Watching Gear and Shirts to Show Your Finds
Once you've spotted a raccoon or found its tracks, consider sharing your experience. A wildlife shirt is a great way to celebrate. For example, the **Cute But Feral Raccoon T-Shirt** captures that mischievous spirit.
Cute But Feral Raccoon T-Shirt
A playful design that fits any spotting adventure.Check Price and Availability
Men's Raccoon T-Shirt
Taucoo brings a little mischief to your wardrobe.Check Price and Availability
Funny Raccoon Graphic Tee
A humorous take on your favorite backyard bandit.Check Price and Availability
Browse more raccoon-themed shirts atour t-shirt collection. For additional raccoon insights, visit theraccoon animal hub. And for other South Carolina wildlife, checkthis state guide.
Undiagnosed But Something Ain't Right Raccoon PNG - Funny Digital Download, Rock On Animal Graphic, Quirky T-Shirt Design
A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoons in South Carolina
**Can I keep a raccoon as a pet in South Carolina?** No, it is illegal to own a raccoon without a permit. They are also not good pets.
**Do raccoons in South Carolina carry diseases?** Yes, they can carry rabies and distemper. Avoid handling or feeding them. If you see a raccoon acting disoriented or aggressive, report it.
**What should I do if a raccoon is in my yard?** Secure trash cans, remove pet food, and seal off crawl spaces. Most will move on if food is not available.
**When do raccoons have babies in South Carolina?** Kits are born in April or May, sometimes as late as June. You may hear chattering from den trees.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Conservation status, source NatureServe
Conservation rank for raccoon (Raccoon, Procyon lotor), as assessed by NatureServe Explorer.
| Scope | NatureServe rank | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| In South Carolina | S5 | Secure |
| Global (rangewide) | G5 | Secure |
NatureServe ranks run from 1 (critically imperiled) to 5 (secure). See our data methodology for how this is sourced.
Plan your trip
Best time to see raccoon in South Carolina: June, May, November
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your raccoon sighting in South Carolina
1,102 verified raccoon records have been logged in South Carolina, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in South Carolina
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Ninety Six National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Congaree National Park · Find hotels
- Cowpens National Battlefield · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Where are raccoons most likely in South Carolina?+
Raccoons thrive across the state, but your best bets are near water sources like rivers, creeks, and marshes. They favor mixed hardwood forests with large trees for denning. In the upstate, look around the Chattooga River and Sumter National Forest. In the Lowcountry, try Francis Marion National Forest or along the Santee River. They also adapt well to suburban areas with ponds and trash bins.
What time of day are raccoons most active?+
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, with peak activity from dusk through midnight. In spring and summer, they may be seen earlier if feeding hungry young. During fall, they spend more time foraging to build fat reserves. Early morning returns to dens can also yield sightings, especially near den trees. For reliable viewing, set up near a water source about 30 minutes before sunset.
How can a beginner identify raccoon tracks and sign?+
Raccoon tracks look like tiny human handprints: five long toes and a large palm pad. Front prints are about 2–3 inches wide, rear prints slightly longer. Look for them in mud along stream banks or sandy trails. Other signs include scratched tree bark (from climbing), latrines at the base of trees or on logs, and overturned rocks or logs where they hunted for grubs. Their scat is blunt-ended and often contains seeds or insect parts. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
What do raccoons eat in South Carolina?+
Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet shifts with the seasons: crayfish, frogs, and insects near water in spring; berries, fruits, and nuts in summer and fall; and small mammals, eggs, and human scraps year-round. In coastal areas, they also eat crabs and clams. Watching where a raccoon is feeding can help you spot them - look for overturned leaf litter or tipped trash cans.
When is the best season to see raccoons?+
Late spring and early summer offer the best sightings because mothers are active during the day feeding kits, and juveniles begin exploring. Fall is also good as raccoons bulk up for winter and become less nocturnal. Winter sightings are rarer but possible on warm afternoons. In South Carolina's mild climate, raccoons do not truly hibernate, so you can find them year-round.
Are raccoons common in South Carolina cities like Charleston or Columbia?+
Yes, raccoons are abundant in urban and suburban areas. In Charleston, look near the Battery seawall or along the Ashley River. In Columbia, check the Congaree River banks and parks. They are often seen raiding dumpsters, crossing roads at night, or denning in attics. Urban raccoons are bolder, but still cautious. Always watch from a distance and never feed them.
Keep exploring
More places to see raccoon
More wildlife in South Carolina
Common questions about raccoons