Opossums vs. Raccoons: The Fascinating Differences and Similarities Between These Two Species

There are times when raccoons and opossums are confused with one another. When this happens, it’s probably because of the slight similarities in their color or their scavenging behaviors at night.  If you’re one of those who get confused between these two, stay with us here in Floofmania as we show you the similarities and …

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Raccoons VS Cats (A Comparison Of Two Animals)

Raccoons VS Cats

Raccoons are known as scavengers, and you will most likely see them scavenging trashcans across Europe and America – especially around the latter since they are native there. With this, they often cross paths with cats who are also searching for scraps.  Even though raccoons do not see cats as prey and vice-versa, they still …

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Raccoons VS Red Pandas – How Do They Compare

While raccoons and red pandas are both cute, fluffy little omnivores, they aren’t actually the same animal! But they both look so similar: how do they compare? Even though they are visually similar, red pandas and raccoons are only distantly related. They come from two different taxonomic groups. But, they do share many characteristics and …

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What Animals Prey On Raccoons? (Answered)

Raccoons live all throughout North America and in some parts of South America. In these areas, you can find raccoons all over. Whether you live in a city or deep in the woods, you will likely come across a raccoon at one point or another. Even though raccoons are very adapted to different environments, they …

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How Long Do Raccoons Live? (Your Questions Answered)

Raccoons typically live between two and five years when they are living in the wild. In captivity, raccoons are able to live almost twice as long. Raccoons face many threats and are preyed upon by larger predators, meaning their lifespan is much shorter than that of other animals. In this article, we look in more …

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Raccoons and Their Drinking Behavior (Questions Answered)

Whether you think of them as adorable little bandits or tricky pests that make a mess of your garbage, raccoons are undeniably one of America’s most iconic wild mammals. There are many things that make them fascinating creatures, but how much do you know about raccoons and their drinking behavior? Whether you’re looking to provide …

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Do Raccoons Actually Wash Their Food? (And Your Phone?)

Raccoons are famous for carrying things around with their tiny human-like hands and you’ve probably seen videos of them dunking different things into water. There are even a few popular clips of raccoons giving smartphones a quick wash! In other languages, the raccoon is actually named after this washing-behavior, like in Danish where it’s called …

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Are Raccoons Smelly? (Here’s What You Should Worry About)

Raccoons, also affectionately called “trash pandas,” are native to North America. They are famous for their bandit-like markings around their eyes. They also like to creep into campgrounds and areas with dumpsters to try and sneak food refuge from humans. This behavior is how they got their nickname “trash pandas.” Raccoons have also snuck into …

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Raccoons and Their Sense Of Smell

Raccoons have an enduring reputation as bandits that will dig through your trash cans or let themselves into your house to find food, but how they know it’s there in the first place isn’t always fully appreciated. While it’s true that they can visually observe and learn, their noses are much greater tools for sniffing …

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Raccoon Ears and Hearing (Do Raccoons Hear Well?)

Raccoons are often associated with nocturnal activities and sneaky acts, and a large element of this is enabled by their superior hearing. Raccoons’ sense of hearing is formed by their unique niche as predators and prey and works both for and against them in the modern human-settled worlds they inhabit. In the rest of the …

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Where Can I Buy or Adopt a Pet Raccoon?

Pet raccoons are only available for purchase in fourteen states. If you want to buy a raccoon, the best option is to find a reliable exotic pet store or breeder in your state. However, many states also allow you to capture raccoons to keep them as pets. It is important in these states that you …

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Raccoons and Running (Your Questions Answered)

Raccoons are peculiar little critters. They look like masked bandits waiting to steal, thieve or rob whatever they can get their hands on. But, the truth of the matter is they’re just inquisitive critters who are smart, adaptable, and quick when they need to be. Believe it or not, raccoons are rather fast for their …

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Are Raccoons Sneaky? Do They Steal?

With their distinctive burglar mask-like face patterns and their propensity to enter houses and leave with items that don’t belong to them, raccoons have developed a reputation as sneaky bandits, but what exactly is behind their behavior of stealing? In the rest of the article, we’re going to look at the common raccoon practice of …

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The Raccoon’s Teeth, Bite, and Jaw

In spite of the raccoon’s small size, their sharp, utilitarian teeth and strong jaws give them a reputation as having a formidable bite. In the rest of the article, we’re going to look at when raccoons bite, what to do if you get bitten by a raccoon, what the bite force quotient of raccoons is, …

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The Raccoon’s Eyes and Vision (Your Questions Answered)

Raccoons have unique markings that make them look like tiny bandits. Those along with their human-like hands make them an interesting creatures. While a lot is known about the raccoon, there is some mystery surrounding their vision, leaving many to wonder just how good it is. Though they use their hands an awful lot, raccoons …

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Why Are Raccoons Called “Raton Laveur” In French?

Understanding the etymology (or the study of the origin of words) helps enrich our understanding of things, especially animals. Plus, other languages tend to have a cooler or more smooth-sounding way of naming critters than we do in English. Such is the case for the English word “raccoon” with respect to its name in French, …

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When Are Raccoons the Most Active? (Questions Answered)

Raccoons are the most active during the nighttime when they are secure from predators. The nocturnal animal does not typically come out during the daytime unless required for survival. Raccoons may leave their dens in the daytime because they need food, are traveling, or if they are sick. Not all raccoons active during the daytime …

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The Raccoon’s Paws And Claws (Your Questions Answered)

Raccoons are wonderfully fascinating animals, both in their unique appearance and their ability to adapt to numerous environments. One of their most useful skills is navigating the world through their paws.  A raccoon’s paws are one of their best tools for many reasons. Not only do their paws and claws come together to contribute to …

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How Big Are Raccoons? (Questions Answered)

Raccoons are considered small to medium-sized mammals. They weigh usually about 7.7 lbs to 20 lbs. They are 16-28 inches long. As nocturnal scavengers, they evolved to be a perfect size for hunting, running and climbing. In this article, we will answer your questions about the size of raccoons as they age and how their …

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The Raccoon’s Fur, Hair, and Tail (And Your Questions Answered)

Raccoons are medium-sized mammals that are found in North America. Typically, they are found in deciduous forests and in colder climates. For this reason, they have specialized fur that is specifically beneficial for their habitat. Raccoons are mostly dark gray with a black and white mask and a striped tail. Their fur is soft, warm, …

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Where Do Raccoons Live? (US States and Countries)

Raccoons are known to be incredibly adaptive creatures. While they have their preferred habitats, they are one of the few animals that have been able to adapt to urbanization. As long as they are able to find food and a place to stay warm and hidden, they don’t mind where their homestead ends up being …

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Raccoon and Their Digging Behavior (Explained)

Raccoons are fascinating creatures in that they are quite purposeful in their actions, including digging holes. Raccoons also don’t enjoy challenging themselves when it comes to finding areas to rest or searching for food. When raccoons are done fulfilling their needs, they aren’t concerned with any destruction they leave in their wake. They’ve got no …

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Raccoon Jumping and Climbing – Trash Panda Acrobatics

Raccoons are great climbers and are able to climb trees without much difficulty. This allows the animal to escape predators, forage fruit and nuts, and sleep in the tree branches out of harm’s way. When getting down from rights, raccoons prefer to climb, but they can also jump if the heights aren’t too great. Do …

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Are Raccoons Territorial? (Explained)

Raccoons are generally not territorial, however, they will mark off a limited 1-4 mile region known as their “home range.” Since a raccoon will build many dens in this region, a raccoon will usually relocate to a different den every few nights. Continue reading to discover more about raccoon home ranges, how large they are, how …

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How Do Raccoons Fight and Defend Themselves?

Raccoons in North America are often more submissive than most other wild creatures. Human attacks are uncommon, although they are possible, especially if the animal feels surrounded or frightened. As a last resort, a raccoon will attack physically, and it possesses a variety of self-defense systems that can be read as warning indications of an approaching …

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Raccoons’ Hunting Behavior (What Do They Prey On?)

Raccoons have a varied diet, being opportunistic in their pursuit of food as much as possible. They don’t like to put a lot of energy into finding their food, but they are pretty resourceful hunters.  A raccoon will usually only hunt if they need to, as they are content with eating whatever they can forage …

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Do Raccoons Go Swimming or Bathe Themselves?

Surprisingly, raccoons are both great swimmers and utilize water for bathing and other cleanliness tasks like washing food. Since raccoons are generally scavengers, they may not dive to hunt in the water, but their swimming skills are still quite impressive. Raccoons have evolved to spend a lot of time in and beneath the water, whether …

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What Do Raccoons Eat? (Almost Everything!)

The raccoon is often affectionately referred to as the trash panda, as we often only come into contact with raccoons as they are excitedly rummaging through our garbage cans. However, this isn’t because they want to eat garbage, but rather, because they are searching for any food left in our garbage.  Knowing what raccoons eat …

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Are Raccoons Endangered? (Not At All!)

There are more than thirty different types of raccoons in the world and they are native to the Americas, from as far north as Alaska to as far south as Argentina. Of these, only the Pygmy Raccoon (also known as the Cozumel Raccoon) is critically endangered. The raccoon that most people are familiar with is …

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Can I Legally Have A Raccoon As A Pet? (A List Of States And Countries)

Raccoons are considered wild or exotic pets and do not typically make great pets because of their unpredictability. However, many people are beginning to tame them and move toward bringing these furry and affectionate mammals into their homes. Their cute appearances and cuddly personalities make them seem like the perfect pet. You can legally own …

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Raccoon Poop: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know

Raccoon poop is recognizable by its appearance and things inside the poop, like berries, grass, and bones. You can find raccoon droppings in concentrated areas, called latrines. These latrines help amplify the smell of the already smelly raccoon poop, helping with their territorial nature. Droppings are long, dark-brown, and tubular. They appear similar to dog …

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Raccoon Reproduction, Mating, Pregnancy, Birth, And Raccoon Babies

Raccoons are non-monogamous mammals that begin seeking mates between ages one and two years. The mating process begins a romantic courting process that can last for several hours or even days. However, the raccoon is an animal that switches between polygyny and promiscuity.  If a pair of raccoons are successful, they will live-birth between two …

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Different Sounds Raccoons Make And What They Mean

Raccoons are noisy animals that make hundreds of noises, including whines, screeches, and even dog-like barks. They are the loudest at night, making scratching noise as they move through your house in the attic and walls. The main form of communication for raccoons is barking. Their type of barking sounds very similar to dogs, and …

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Do Raccoons Like Shiny Things? (and Why?)

Raccoons are nature’s little bandits. They skulk around at night and even have eye masks and a tendency to steal pet food and stuff out of your trash can. But do their thieving tendencies go further than just helping themselves to food that isn’t meant for them? Yes, raccoons actually are quite the hoarders. Raccoons, …

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Do Raccoons Like Catnip? (Yes and No!)

Catnip is a strange herb. It’s known for making cats absolutely crazy, whereas it’s an effective insect-repellant at the same time, and it can be used as a calming ingredient in herbal teas. And since about two-thirds of all cats are absolutely taken by the herb, it’s interesting to ask if other animals have a …

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