This very common and very adaptable furbearer is probably one of Pennsylvania's most recognized furbearers.
While it generally prefers to live in woodlands close to water, it will make its home anywhere there is a good den site and plenty of food.With its nimble fingers that can easily pry off garbage can lids, it has easily adapted to urban areas.
There isn’t too much a raccoon won’t eat. Small mammals (mice, voles, rabbits, etc.), birds and their eggs(they are the bane of poultry farmers), frogs, snakes, crayfish, carrion, fruit, nuts, sweet corn, berries and grapes, spiders and other insects. They do wash their food but it is not true that they do it every time.
Usually a nocturnal animal, the raccoon is usually sociable. However, if cornered it is a fierce fighter and thinks nothing of taking on a dog. It uses this sociability to an advantage in the winter in the form of communal dens. Not a true hibernator, it will den up for extended periods in the winter when the weather is too cold. Dens are usually some sort of hollowed out tree or crevice, but attics and garages will also do nicely.
Young are born in late March or early April after a gestation period of about 63 days. While males will sometimes help with the pups, the female takes the most responsibility and are very devoted parents.
The raccoon does not have many predators but large hawks and owls will sometimes take them. Diseases include canine distemper, parvo,tularemia, coccidosis, septicemia, and mange. They are one of the highest carriers of rabies.
Suggested trap sizes: 1 ½ to1.75 coilspring, 220 conibear in a bucket cubby set in a water way(NOTE:it is illegal in Pensylvania to set a conibear on land!)
Suggested sets: Dirt hole, scent post set, hay bale set, water set, trail set,pocket set.