Frequently Asked Raccoon Questions

Raccoons have very dexterous hands with five fingers, which allows them to open jars, turn doorknobs, and even unlock cages. They lack opposable thumbs but make up for it with great flexibility and sensitivity in their fingers, which are almost as agile as those of humans.

While it appears that raccoons are washing their food, they are actually using their highly sensitive front paws to feel and explore objects underwater. This behavior increases the tactile experience, helping them to understand the texture and nature of their food better, especially in dark or murky waters.

Raccoons are incredibly adaptable and have successfully integrated into urban areas. They use their intelligence and dexterity to navigate city landscapes, accessing food from trash cans, pet food bowls, and even entering homes through pet doors. Their adaptability also includes altering their sleeping schedules to avoid humans and increase their nocturnal activities.

In the wild, raccoons typically live 2 to 3 years due to predation and disease, but they can live up to 5 years. In captivity, however, raccoons can live much longer, with some individuals reaching 20 years of age, thanks to regular meals, fewer predators, and medical care.

Raccoons are generally solitary, especially adult males, which are territorial and interact primarily during the breeding season. However, females can show more social behavior, often sharing dens with their offspring or even with other females during extremely cold weather, showing a complex social structure based on survival and environmental conditions.