About Raccoons
Raccoons range in size from 6 to 22 kg and may reach a length of 95 cm. Males are bigger than females in general. Raccoons come in a variety of colours, ranging from grey to reddish-brown, but they always have distinguishing patterns around their eyes and rings around their tails. All four of a raccoon’s feet contain five digits, and its front paws function similarly to human hands. Raccoons are omnivores who eat everything.
Habit
The pests have bushy tails and characteristic mask-like patterns on their faces, and they are omnivorous. Raccoons are scavengers who devour nearly everything they come upon. Crayfish, frogs, snails, bird eggs, and insects are among their favourite meals. When they infest a home, they look for rubbish, bird feeders, and unsecured pet food.
Habitat
Raccoons may be found all throughout Southern Canada, and they are well suited to live in both urban and suburban settings. They make their homes beneath porches, in abandoned houses, and in barns. They like to build their nests in wooded locations with close water supplies. They can live in both hot, tropical regions and cool, temperate meadows.
Threats
Raccoons inflict property damage and put humans, pets, and animals at danger of contracting diseases. In quest of an easy meal, raccoons invade dumpsters and knock over garbage cans. They are opportunistic and will seek refuge in any available cavity or void. Raccoons can also carry rabies and the parasite raccoon roundworm, both of which are hazardous to humans.
Prevention
The easiest approach to avoid becoming infected with roundworm is to keep raccoons away from your house. Use tight-sealing waste containers and bring outside pet food inside overnight to avoid attracting raccoons in the first place. To avoid health problems, people who currently have latrines on their land must clean up raccoon excrement quickly and thoroughly. Cleaning, on the other hand, might be difficult and risky under this situation. Dry raccoon scat dust can be stirred up, releasing eggs and waste particles into the air, which can be ingested.
