Raccoon Face Photograph

02.27.2007 - This is a photograph that I managed to take close-up of a raccoon. It was hiding in a duct, and I was able to get my camera very close. I caught this critter, so I know it was a female. But with raccoons, I can always tell anyway. Male raccoons have a different appearance than females. The differences are subtle, but it's easy to tell, just like it's easy to tell with people. Female raccoons simply look more feminine, or even prettier, if you will. If you spent as much time looking at raccoons as I do, you'd start to notice the difference as well. That's about all I have to say on that matter, so I will now paste in a few various emails that I've received recently regarding raccoon problems. Enjoy!

Hey David, I live on a canal in Miami Dade. I have a pond in the back yard with koi fish. A few days ago, I'm almost positive a or a couple of raccoons went in my pond and destroyed my plants and ate a few kois. The next day I put a havahart trap but no raccoons were caught. Do they come every couple days? I would think since they got my fish they would come every night if they are there for the taking. Also, what do I put in the trap as bait? I hear cat food, bananas, apples, marshmallows. Once I catch one do I stop or keep putting the trap? Please advise and thanks.

I see your site and it tells me that everything i have heard will not work and i have a raccoon in my attic that is starting to rip up the wood in my cabniet above my refrigirater. i have called everyone around here that i can think of and everyone tells me its moth balls that will get them out or have to kill them and since that is illegal i have no clue what to do now and i no you are in flordia so its hard for you to help us but is there anything that you could tell me to help me out i have thought about getting the trap but how do i get it outside to get in the trap. i think its only one but it may have a baby i am really stuck here and would really appriciate a response to help me any hints that i could do or if its best to just wait it out till spring i have heard because its winter that is why all of a sudden it is there we have a small hole in the roof that we think is where it is getting in but we sat outside for 6 hours trying to find out where it is coming from and the darn thing is not coming out help please i would really appriciate it

I enjoyed your website, and wish you were able to service Austin Texas. As I sit here researching my squirrel issue, I can hear them waking up above my head. I have the triple wammy of several types of animals in my attic. I have rats, squirrels, and probably a big raccoon (because there are large cat like poops near the hole they ripped into our attic. I have employed a professional to set traps for the rats, and to relocate the raccoon. The plan for the squirrels is to relocate the raccoons first, then find a time when I don't hear them, and then close the hole. I am sad that we have had to relocate a young opossum and raccoon so far, as we wait to catch the big raccoon. I wish we didn't need to bother them. I also wish that the service I'm using had those cool repeater/exit traps for squirrels. Those look very effective. We spent a lot of money replacing the attic insulation, and sealing up our house, only to have them find a new way in. I am going to survey my house each week from now on, to avoid this complicated problem. Thanks again for sharing info on your important work. Sincerely, Raika

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When you see a raccoon, the first thing you notice is the dark bands visible around the eyes, normally in the fashion of a thief trying to mask his/her face.

This is no coincidence as many cartoons with raccoon characters portray them as mischievous bandits, whose role happens to be supported by the actions of raccoons, which are known to scavenge for food, break into homes, and destroy properties.

Below are some features of the raccoon.

Dark band
The dark band around their eyes, which is made of black fur, sharply contrasts against the color of their face. It is one of the three major characteristics of the raccoon. This black fur helps reduce glare and is believed to aid their night vision. However, it is not the only interesting feature of raccoons.

Ringed tail
Raccoons have furry tails with black rings. These rings are often numbered between five and eight alternating light and dark lines. Raccoon tails are almost as long as their body. They are usually between 20 cm and 40 cm in length

Fuzzy
Raccoons are fuzzy creatures. They possess thick underfur which keeps their bodies warm in cold weather and their long and stiff guard hairs help them shed moisture. They also have small rounded ears with white fur at the tips.

Coat
Most raccoon furs vary in color across a range of gray, from light gray to dark gray, while some raccoons are known to have salt-and-pepper colored fur. This variation in fur colors stems from their geographical origin among other factors. The gray color of their furs helps them camouflage in the dark.

Shape
Raccoons are medium-sized animals that are stocky and round. When compared to other animals, they are found to be of the same size as a small dog. They average 24 to 38 inches in length and can weigh 5 to 12 kilograms, though their weight could vary based on their habitats

Unequal leg length
Raccoons have two pairs of legs with varying lengths. The hind legs of the raccoon are quite shorter than the front legs. This gives the raccoon a bent over appearance when it walks or runs, and also helps the raccoon balance when it sits back on the hind feet. However, because of its short legs, it is unable to run quickly or jump great distances.

Flat paws
Raccoons have flat paws with five non-webbed digits on each paw. The front paws are protected by a thin layer and are extremely sensitive especially when in water. Raccoons are different from other animals in the sense that they rely on their sense of touch to find food. Raccoon fingers are long and flexible, with each of them possessing claws used to pick, hold and tear apart objects, and also to attack or defend themselves in the face of danger. Raccoon paws look a bit like human hands, but unlike human fingers, their digits do not have an opposable thumb. Raccoons are found in forests, marshes, tropical islands, and even in cities. So watch your surroundings, you just might spot one!