The original, native habitat of the raccoon is North and Central America. After the acquaintance of Europeans with this animal, he settled in the Old World. The raccoon began to “penetrate” into the territory of Russia in the form of skins, which our ancestors called “genet furs”, similar to the fur of the genet, found in Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and well known to them through southern merchants. The change in the name of the furs (instead of "genet furs" - "raccoon furs") and gave the raccoon its name. In the natural environment, it is rarely found in our country, since it has adapted only in areas adjacent to Belarus and in the North Caucasus, although attempts to expand its habitat continue.
The raccoon gained considerable popularity as a pet. There are even whole clubs of lovers of these animals. In this connection, many beginner "raccoon breeders" have a question: what do raccoons eat? To figure out how to feed a captive animal, let's first find out what it eats in the wild.
Raccoons in the natural environment
It is interesting that raccoons eat both plant and animal food in nature, and the seasonal change in diet is clearly visible. For example, in spring and early summer, they prefer to eat the following foods:
- frogs;
- snakes;
- fish;
- bird eggs;
- other animal food.
And in the second half of the warm season and in autumn they switch almost exclusively to fruits, nuts, acorns and berries. Before eating, they rinse their food in water, hence the name of the most common species - "raccoon-garlic". In temperate regions, raccoons hibernate in winter; in more southern regions, they are awake all year round.
Raccoons easily adapt to the neighborhood with a person: for example, they often dig in landfills in search of food. Immune to many diseases that are detrimental to other mammals. Many researchers note such qualities of a raccoon as curiosity and cunning. He boldly defends himself from predators, and if it is impossible to escape, he pretends to be dead.
Raccoon at home
Naturally, the diet of a raccoon in captivity will be significantly different from the usual. And with its maintenance, it is necessary both to take into account natural preferences, and to form new ones that will make it easier to care for it. Those who have been keeping them for a long time claim that raccoons eat meat at home, preferring chicken or any other bird, including raw. In addition, they can be given fish, eggs (not necessarily chicken), seafood. In order for the raccoon to get used to the owner, it is recommended to gradually teach him to take food from his hands, but we must not forget that this is still a predator that can bite a person by the finger.
Little raccoons can even be fed with baby food, and adults can be taught to be content with dry food for dogs or cats, but always high quality. As a reward for obedience, it is permissible to feed the animal with fruits or cookies - this is a treat for him! Experienced raccoon owners advise you to use this trick: hide some tasty things in your clothes and do not interfere when the pet starts to search your pockets in search of food. This, like hand feeding, promotes a good relationship with the raccoon.
But in any case, no matter how tame the raccoon may seem and no matter what homemade food he eats, we must not forget that this is a wild predator. If our beloved fluffy cats often prefer to “walk on their own”, then there’s nothing to say about raccoons: they will never become as tame as dogs or parrots. It is necessary to leave a fraction of personal mental space to the animal and never cross its border - and you will get a calm, agile and sweet pet.
Are you planning to have a pet raccoon at home? These cute animals have long ceased to be exotic and have become popular pets.
How to feed them so as not to care about the pet's health more than your own? We study the features of proper feeding of such fluffy minke whales as raccoons.
In total, there are 4 types of raccoons in the world:
- raccoon,
- raccoon,
- Guadalupe raccoon
- Cozumel raccoon.
Stripes are most common in Belarus and the North Caucasus. By the way, they are nicknamed so for an unusual habit - to wash food before eating in water, that is, to “rinse” it.
What does a raccoon eat in the wild?
This is an omnivore. In nutrition, the raccoon is illegible. He scours in search of prey within a radius of 1.5-2 km. Depending on the season, his diet may include:
- eggs of birds, which are obtained from nests,
- fish, crayfish and other river animals,
- reptiles, including frogs,
- insects such as ants, termites, bumblebees (raccoons are not afraid of their bites due to their thick coat),
- small rodents that raccoons catch, including muskrats, squirrels,
- amphibians, even turtles,
- nuts and acorns,
- vegetables - potatoes, pumpkins, zucchini,
- berries and fruits.
If a wild raccoon lives close to human habitats, he can easily rummage through the garbage and choose something from the garbage for lunch. In rare cases, they climb into private / country houses in search of food. Usually raccoons provide themselves with food in advance, making fat reserves.
What do raccoons eat at home?
How to feed a raccoon-poloskuna, its owner decides. The diet of a domestic raccoon should be complete and varied, rich in proteins, not oversaturated with fats and carbohydrates.
Raccoon nutrition at home should include:
- lean meat, including veal, rabbit, poultry, offal (stomachs, liver, hearts),
- fish, with the exception of red,
- raw eggs,
- fiber (fruits and vegetables)
- cereals, mainly rice and buckwheat,
- various nuts - almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts,
- dairy and lactic acid products, such as kefir, cottage cheese, etc.
Domestic raccoons must eat according to the regimen. They are fed 3 times a day - in the morning, afternoon and evening, sometimes another, fourth feeding is introduced.
Attention! Be sure to ensure constant access to drinking water - put a bowl of water in the corner and constantly replenish it. A raccoon may not even drink from it - but he simply needs to rinse his food in it: this is how the animal instinctively protects itself from unnecessary diseases.
Dried fruits can be an excellent delicacy for a raccoon at home.- dried apricots, figs, prunes, raisins. Sometimes you can give a drop of honey.
It is preferable to feed the raccoon products that have undergone minimal heat treatment. In the same time raw fish and meat can become a source of disease, carriers of infections and bacteria, so their introduction into the diet is undesirable. Low-calorie food supplies are best given in the morning, while evening feeding is the main one.
Food should be seasonal: in the autumn, it is better to give preference to vegetable components, in winter - meat and cereals. Domestic raccoons do not hibernate, becoming a little less mobile and active.
The condition of his coat will testify to the good nutrition of a raccoon. If it became dull and began to fall out, you can be sure: the raccoon lacks vitamins. Vitamin complexes and biological supplements Beaphar - what you need in conditions of beriberi.
How to feed raccoon puppies at home?
Little raccoons aged 1-1.5 months still cannot eat on their own. They have not yet grown strong and have not adapted to the environment. But it is this age that is considered the most suitable for relocation to a new owner.
A raccoon puppy needs to be fed on its own, using nipples and bottles, in extreme cases, a large-volume medical syringe without a nozzle needle. What can be used for feeding:
- milk mixes,
- cow or goat milk
- sweetened mixture of milk and water,
- diluted condensed milk.
After 1.5-2 months, the raccoon can already eat puree-like food and begin to slowly switch to solid food. At this age, you can enter into the diet:
- cottage cheese, starting with a minimum percentage of fat content,
- eggs, better quail - they are more nutritious compared to chicken,
- grated bananas.
From 2.5 months, you can refuse such activities as feeding a raccoon in your arms. He is already able to eat on his own from a bowl or saucer. Put a little food in the feeder - start with 1-2 tablespoons. And it is better to make a mixture of ingredients, rather than putting them separately.
When the raccoon reaches 6 months, it is required to start dosing food - it is at this age that raccoons develop a tendency to become obese. Metabolic disorders due to malnutrition should not be allowed by any zealous owner. At the same time, limiting doses by underfeeding the raccoon should also not be: hungry animals will begin to look for their own prey and ruin their diet. The task of the owner is to strictly observe the usefulness of the nutritious food and give portions sufficient for the raccoon to eat.
Contraindications in food
A raccoon, like any other pet, is contraindicated:
- everything sweet except honey,
- flour, especially freshly baked,
- acute,
- smoked,
- everything is salty
- any condiments.
With a restriction, raccoons should be offered:
- butter (it is better to use vegetable),
- corn and semolina porridge - they are poorly absorbed and can adversely affect the gastrointestinal system,
- millet and barley porridge - can weaken the animal,
- homemade cookies (if given, then hard types),
- granulated food for dogs and cats - it is convenient to use and affordable, but it is not the best option for raccoons.
Homemade cookies, think is it really necessary? It is contraindicated to feed raccoons with food from the home table. All fried and fatty should be categorically excluded from his diet. An adult raccoon, like a baby, should have its own food and its own dishes. You can cook porridge in meat / chicken broth and add buckwheat or oatmeal to it, as well as grated vegetables, pre-boiled. Such "farshekash" should become the main dish of the raccoon.
Raccoon food should not be rotten or moldy. You should not leave the state of health of the animal to chance by feeding it with food from products with an expired shelf life. No need to leave food in the feeder so that the raccoon comes up and eats everything that is left later: the food will soon spoil and there will be little use from it.
Raccoon treats should be chosen with great care. Do not be led by your pet: he may have his own taste preferences. Someone loves such useful things as grapes or carrots, and someone will be crazy about dry cat food, someone will even like children's toffee.
With proper nutrition, a raccoon can live up to 15 years. Give your pet a heavenly life, with proper nutrition, and you won't have to worry about his health! Unpretentious animals, smart and agile, will delight you with their presence and attractive appearance. And you will be proud to show them to your guests and friends!
A charming funny animal, the raccoon takes root perfectly at home. The owner will not be bored with him: it is painfully restless. But you will have to thoroughly take care of organizing a place for a pet and its safety. How to keep and what to feed the animal?
The raccoon is a wild predatory animal, and this must be taken into account. To make the pet's temperament more docile and accustom to life next to a person, it must be taken into the house as a very small child, patiently tamed and kept in a specially equipped aviary or a spacious cage.
A raccoon at home behaves the same as in the wild. Therefore, he will tear furniture, bite, mark territory and poke his curious nose into any gap. Letting the animal out of the cage, you can not take your eyes off it. Electric wires are especially dangerous, so they need to be hidden away.
The aviary should have strong bars, well-locked doors. Direct rays of the sun should not fall there: overheating is dangerous for the life of the animal. Inside the cage, you should equip several shelves and make a "hollow" in which the raccoon could hide. The floor must be covered with sawdust.
In addition to the toilet tray and feeder, the raccoon's dwelling must have a deep and wide bowl of water. It is needed not only for drinking: in the container the animal will rinse its toys. Raccoons love water, so you have to clean the cage almost daily.
The natural curiosity and activity of a small predator lead to the fact that his coat can get dirty. How to clean raccoon fur at home? Swimming is the best. It is necessary to wash the animal only with severe contamination with ordinary water, and shampoo for cats or dogs should be used no more than 3 times a year. The rest of the time, raccoons themselves take care of their thick beautiful coat.
What does a raccoon eat at home
Pet food should be varied. And be sure to take into account periods of natural activity. The fact is that in the wild in winter these animals hibernate, and therefore food in the winter months should not be plentiful. In winter and spring, animal food is preferable, in summer and autumn - vegetable food.
The correct diet of raccoons is easy to compose. It must include:
Vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, zucchini);
Fruits (excluding citrus fruits);
Fish (except red);
And dogs are the smartest among animals. With high intelligence, raccoons are often resourceful and easy to train, so it is not surprising that some people even have their own pet raccoons. And what, maybe our article will also inspire you to get a domestic raccoon instead of a cat or a dog.
Raccoon: description, structure, characteristics. What does a raccoon look like?
The name "raccoon" comes to us from the Indian word "Arakun", which translates as "scratching with his hands."
Raccoons are predatory mammals belonging to the family of raccoons proper, which includes four species of these animals (we will describe each species in more detail below). Also close relatives of raccoons are raccoon dogs (they are often confused with raccoons), noses, kakomitsli and kinkajou. And even the dog and the panda are among the distant relatives of the raccoon.
The most common among raccoons is the raccoon raccoon, which is also called the "bear gargle" or "washing bear".
The body length of raccoons is usually 45-60 cm, the average weight of a raccoon, depending on the species, can vary from 2-5 to 8-15 kg. The males are often larger than the females. The body structure of raccoons is a bit like a dog. But raccoon paws are an important distinguishing feature of these animals, they have strongly elongated pads, somewhat reminiscent of human palms. Due to the similar structure of their paws, all raccoons have excellent grasping abilities.
Raccoons climb trees with ease and can manipulate various small objects.
The raccoon's tail is long and usually bushy. The coat of a raccoon depends on its species, so in a raccoon it is short, while in a raccoon, Cosmemel and Guadalupe raccoons, on the contrary, it is longer and fluffier. As for coloring, all raccoons have a grayish-brown color, and their tail is painted with transverse black and white stripes.
The head of the raccoon is very wide, has a short and sharp muzzle, and small and rounded ears.
An interesting fact: all raccoons not only easily climb trees, but also swim well, and they can swim even in cold water, which is facilitated by the special composition of their fur, consisting of 90% of thick undercoat, as if specially adapted by nature to protect against cold water.
How long do raccoons live at home and in nature?
The life expectancy of raccoons at home is 10-15 years. But their relatives living in the forest, in the wild, rarely even live up to 10 years, the raccoon has an abundance of enemies in natural conditions, which is why it is rare that a raccoon in the forest lives to old age.
Where do raccoons live?
Raccoons are native to North and South America and can be found in forests from Canada to Argentina. With the discovery of America by Europeans, raccoons also came to Eurasia and one of their species, the raccoon raccoon, could quite well take root in our latitudes. In particular, raccoon populations have been created in many European countries and also in the Caucasus.
As for our country of Ukraine, in the hometown of the author of the article - Lviv, there is a whole raccoon farm - "", that is, you can come to visit the raccoons, play with them, for children such an event will definitely be unforgettable. To learn more about the Raccoon House in Lviv, follow the link.
The nature and lifestyle of the raccoon
Raccoons have a friendly nature, they are peaceful, active and inquisitive. However, despite their peacefulness, they are not cowardly, therefore, in case of danger, they are able to bravely defend themselves, bite and scratch. They can also rumble threateningly, trying to scare a potential enemy. In especially dangerous situations, raccoons can flee or go for a cunning trick - pretend to be dead.
Despite the friendliness and sociability, in natural conditions raccoons prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle, gathering together only for mating and for the period of hibernation. And yes, raccoons, like in the winter, hibernate, and the biological mechanisms of hibernation in raccoons are similar to bears, hibernation itself in raccoons lasts depending on the duration of the cold period. Canadian raccoons sleep the longest, in which winter hibernation can last up to 5 months, but raccoons living in the warm tropics of Central America do not hibernate at all, due to the absence of winter in their habitats.
Raccoons are twilight animals, which means they are most active in the evening and at night, preferring to sleep in their cozy den during the day. But with the onset of evening, they go out in search of food. Although, if necessary, these animals can change the established daily routine.
What does a raccoon eat?
Raccoons are omnivorous, that is, they can eat, like all kinds of berries, nuts, acorns, fruits, and various small animals: large insects, snails, crayfish and crabs. They are very good at catching small fish.
Enemies of raccoons in nature
In turn, the raccoons themselves can become the prey of other larger predators: bears, coyotes, wolverines and cougars. In an attempt to escape from their enemies, raccoons often resort to tricks - pretending to be dead, but when this trick does not work, and it is not possible to escape, they desperately resist, fighting with all their might for their lives. However, unfortunately, this is not always possible.
Also, to a certain extent, the enemy of raccoons is a person, so even the American Indians sometimes killed these animals for the sake of their fur. Later, white colonists also began to practice raccoon hunting. Fortunately, the active reproduction of these animals did not endanger their population.
Types of raccoons, photos and names
As we wrote above, there are 4 types of raccoons in nature, and further we will describe them in more detail:
This raccoon got its so unusual name due to the habit of rinsing the caught prey in the water. Thus, a clean raccoon cleans it of sand. It is also the most common among raccoons, living throughout North and Central America, and for some time in Europe. Everything that we wrote above concerns primarily raccoons.
Raccoon crawfish (aguara)
A distinctive feature of this raccoon is a characteristic pattern around the eyes, somewhat reminiscent of a bandit mask. The coat of this raccoon is shorter, and the body is more streamlined. It got its name for its gastronomic love for crayfish. It lives in the jungles of Central and South America.
This species of raccoon is very rare, as it lives in a limited area, namely on the small island of Cozumel in the Caribbean. It also differs from its other relatives in its brownish-grayish fur and the presence of a yellow tint on the tail.
This species of raccoons is currently on the verge of extinction and is listed in. It lives in the humid regions of Guadeloupe, preferring to settle in swampy areas, as well as near water bodies, rivers and lakes. Its appearance is similar to the raccoon gargle.
Raccoon breeding
Raccoons breed strictly once a year, during their mating season, which occurs either at the end of winter or at the beginning of summer (depending on the habitat of the raccoon, the further south he lives, the faster his mating season begins, for raccoons living in our temperate latitudes, the mating season is at the beginning of summer).
These animals do not have special mating rituals, everything is extremely simple - the male finds the female by smell and mates with her. Pregnancy of a female raccoon lasts 2 months, childbirth takes place in some secluded place, usually a hollow tree or an abandoned hole of another animal.
From 3 to 8 little raccoons are born at a time. Baby raccoons, like kittens, are born blind and helpless, and at first they are under the full care of their mother, who feeds them with her breast milk. But already after a month of their life, they begin to grow rapidly, by 4-5 months they are already able to forage on their own, and by the first year, raccoons reach puberty and become adults.
Raccoons make great pets due to their friendly nature. Just don’t get a raccoon if you live in a cramped apartment, as these animals need space, and they won’t be free range like cats or dogs either.
It is very desirable to allocate a whole separate room for the raccoon, it will also be his aviary, in which the animal will feel free. Since raccoons are very smart animals, you can have fun with them, play with them, but you should also be careful, so if the raccoon thinks he is in danger, he can bite and scratch. Raccoons are especially aggressive during their mating season. Also, during the mating season, the male raccoon can mark his territory, which will be fraught with a very unpleasant odor. But in general, a raccoon can be trained to go to the tray, almost like a cat or a dog.
It is also worth considering that raccoons can be very mischievous, even hooligan animals, living in a house, they can do all sorts of Skoda, for example, break all the dishes in the kitchen, throw over an expensive TV, and so on. To avoid this, they should not be let out of their aviary room (at least without supervision), having previously removed all valuable items from there.
And raccoons are twilight animals, which means that having such a pet in the house, you will need to adjust to its natural rhythm, during the day the raccoon will most likely sleep, but in the evening and at night it will rage. It will also be necessary to feed him in the evening and at night, in general, if you are an “owl” in biorhythm, then with a raccoon it will be easier for you than people with “larks”.
What to feed a raccoon
What to feed a domestic raccoon? A partially omnivorous raccoon can be fed the same as it is in its natural environment: these are different berries, fruits, nuts. In addition, raccoons can be fed with specialized food for cats and dogs, but only premium. You can give meat and fish, both raw and boiled, the main thing is not too fatty. Chicken, beef, turkey, veal and rabbit are perfect as meat for a raccoon. Of fruits, raccoons eat well: apples, pears, grapes, bananas, peaches, plums. From vegetables, raccoons will be useful: carrots, fresh peas, asparagus, zucchini.
- Raccoons are first-class thieves, and therefore, being near them, do not yawn, as they can easily pull off everything that is badly lying.
- Raccoons are not only first-class thieves, but also first-class burglars, so zoologists once conducted tests in which raccoons figured out how to open ten locks in 30 minutes to get a treat.
- Communication with raccoons has a beneficial effect on children with autism, helps them to relax, take off sets, so even a special term appeared - raccoon therapy (treatment by raccoons).
Raccoon, video
And in conclusion, an interesting documentary about raccoons.
When writing the article, I tried to make it as interesting, useful and of high quality as possible. I would be grateful for any feedback and constructive criticism in the form of comments on the article. You can also write your wish / question / suggestion to my mail [email protected] or on Facebook, with respect, the author.
This article is available in English - .
Willingly gobble up everything that you hold out to him. But remember: the life expectancy of your pet depends on how competently you approach the diet of the animal.
There are 2 main approaches to feeding a raccoon:
1. Use cat and dog food. They are quite balanced, but it is worth remembering that the natural diet of a raccoon is richer than that of a cat and dog, and is also subject to seasonality (more animal food in summer, vegetable food in autumn). Therefore, many breeders recommend the use of feed in exceptional situations.
2. Natural diet - close to what what does a raccoon eat outside: fruits and vegetables, cereals, cereals, eggs, fish, lean meats, poultry, nuts.
Plan your raccoon's diet, taking into account the nuances:
- Try to feed the animal 3 times a day: in the morning, in the late afternoon (at 18-19 hours), at night (from 22 to 23 hours).
- Do not overfeed the animal. Fat raccoons (like other pets) live less, as they experience additional stress on the body.
- Remember that a raccoon is characterized by a seasonal change in weight (an increase before winter, a decrease in spring until a complete loss of appetite). A seasonal weight difference of a few kilograms is normal.
- Completely exclude the raccoon from the diet: any sweets, starchy foods (including bread, cookies and even crackers), salty, smoked, spicy.
- The raccoon himself tells the owner how to feed him. If the animal has become reluctant to eat apples and carrots, increase the proportion of animal food and vice versa.
- Observe what your raccoon loves the most. Use these treats as rewards for good behavior and training.
Feeding a raccoon puppy
It is very difficult to feed a very small raccoon under the age of 1.5 months. A newborn is almost impossible. Caring for a puppy 1.5-4 months is also very difficult. Feeding a puppy has many nuances. For example, so that food does not stagnate, a little raccoon needs a stomach massage. Make sure it releases the intestines.
