Learning to live safely with sneaky raccoons
The existence of wildlife in urban areas enriches our environment, bringing a little bit of nature to the bustle of the urban community. Abundant food and shelter and the absence of natural predators have allowed many wild animals to successfully adapt to urban life in cities like Toronto. We can hardly blame them for helping themselves to food that is readily accessible in garbage pails, gardens, composters and sheds.
If there is ample food and a place to live, removing the resident animal will simply create a vacant territory for another one to move into. Preventive measures have proven to be less costly and less stressful for both wildlife and the homeowner in the long term.
Although human-wildlife conflicts can occur, a little understanding of the animals' characteristics and needs will help us take a humane approach leading to a peaceful coexistence. According to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, humane treatment of animals involves compassion and respect, precludes cruelty, and avoids pain, suffering or injury.
Wild animals should be treated with respect and understanding. Never corner or attempt to pick up any wild animal. They may bite when they feel threatened, and they may have parasites or diseases that could be passed on to you or your pets.
Raccoons are one of the most adaptable species of wildlife. They live throughout temperate North America and range as far south as South America. Raccoons are easily identified by their narrow mask-like faces with white patches above their eyes and their bushy tails with alternating black and yellowish rings. They are about one metre long, including the tail and weigh from seven to 22 kilograms. When conditions are favourable, they can live up to 10 or 13 years. They will produce one litter per year with an average of four or five kits.
Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and being truly omnivorous, they will eat anything. Common foods are a variety of fruits, vegetables, insects, eggs, small birds, and mammals. They are usually nocturnal, although they may occasionally be active in the daytime.
They will hibernate for a good portion of the winter in cold climates. They are fairly sociable and generally not aggressive, unless threatened, protecting their young or during mating season. They are territorial, with a range of up to five kilometres. Raccoons are strong and agile and, therefore, very good climbers. Their long and slender digits make their feet look more like hands and provide them with remarkable dexterity. Raccoons' ability to adapt to different habitats, combined with intelligence and curiosity, have allowed them to become proficient city dwellers. This often brings them into conflict with homeowners as the animals seek food and shelter.
Life cycles in raccoons vary slightly, reflecting factors such as age, health, weather conditions, habitat, food supply and population density. A basic understanding of their yearly activities will help formulate humane, effective prevention plans and deal with existing problems.
As the weather gets colder, raccoons will seek out shelter to escape winter weather. During the winter months, juveniles born the previous year will leave the maternal den site and seek out their own dens. Raccoons mate during mid to late winter, usually between January and March, with a gestation period of approximately 63 days.
Adverse weather conditions, such as snow, severe cold, or a lack of food may cause raccoons to stay in their dens for three weeks or more. Home-owners should be aware of this behaviour when testing for the presence of raccoons and planning raccoon-proofing strategies.
It is extremely important that all animals be locked out of the area, not in it. Animals locked in may cause damage to the home and may suffer a lingering death, which is inhumane. In addition, the rotting carcass will be very offensive for a long time and costly to have removed.
Between March and June, homeowners should not attempt on their own to remove wildlife other than by using loud radio or bright flashing lights. If a mother is locked out with the kits inside, she will do considerable damage trying to get to her kits. If the mother is trapped and taken away, the dependent kits will be left to starve and die in the den. Only when the mother and her kits have been seen coming outside can a homeowner begin to encourage them to leave and repair the entrance area.
Kits are born during this time, and the mother will stay with them for up to three days without going outside. Their eyes remain closed until the age of three weeks and they will remain solely in the den site for approximately two months. During this time, the mother will go outside on her own to find food. The homeowner may hear chittering noises. As the kits grow and develop, they may become noisier and they may be heard moving about.
After about 2 1/2 months, they will slowly start to accompany the mother on her nightly excursions. The young will stay with their mother for nine months, learning necessary survival skills from her. Observe the kits coming out for a week or two and getting to the ground before starting any removal attempts. It may take the runt of the litter several days longer than its siblings to gain the strength to leave the den with the rest of the family. At this time of year, raccoons may begin foraging in lawns looking for insect larvae.
It is important that people keep their home and food sources inaccessible to raccoons, unless they would like to have unwanted masked guests.