Raccoons are mammalian animals included in the order of carnivores, although they have a truly omnivorous diet. They are characterized by their striking coloration in gray tones, darker towards the back and lighter on the extremities. But its most peculiar features are its black stripe on the face that simulates a mask and the ring-shaped coloration of the tail.
All raccoon species are native to America and inhabit various types of ecosystems, including near-urban areas. Therefore, if you have come across one of these animals and have ever wondered if raccoons are aggressive or not, continue reading this article on our site and knows the answer.
Do Raccoons Attack?
Raccoons have the appearance of a cute animal, which is why they are usually very attractive to people, however, it is important to keep something in mind: They are wild animals, non-domestic Thus, it is essential to maintain certain distance measures with them, since, on occasion, adults can attack both people and pets.
In some regions of America close to their natural habitat, and in others where they have been introduced, such as in Europe, these animals are generating some conflicts with people:
- On the one hand, because when they are acquired as pets and then show aggressive behavior, they are abandoned to their fate, causing roam in urban areas where they begin to generate inconveniences of various kinds. In the article about The raccoon as a pet we talk in depth about whether or not it is legal to have it as a pet and why it should live in its natural habitat.
- On the other hand, the generalist behavior that they commonly present makes them move easily towards these urban areas. Given that they are animals that adapt to various types of habitats and feed very easily, these urban spaces offer sufficient conditions for them to develop without much difficulty.
As we have mentioned, raccoons can become aggressive when they are adults, that is, they are capable of attacking people, and, for this, usually use their claws and teeth This behavior is enhanced by the fact that they are not shy animals, so they are not intimidated by human presence.
Why are raccoons aggressive?
Wild animals are adapted to certain ecological conditions, which are linked to their biological aspects. When these are changed, animals can have aggressive responses or behaviors, not only towards people, but also towards other animals, as has happened with raccoons that have attacked domestic animals and their guardians [1] [2] In this sense, raccoons attack because they are not domesticated and, despite being generalists in terms of habitats and feeding, their wild origin is still keeping, therefore, they do not see humans and companion animals as individuals with whom they live, but more likely as intruders, competitors, aggressors and even in the case of certain domestic animals, as possible sources food. That said, it's not that raccoons are aggressive or just want to attack, it's that they respond to their natural instincts that detect us as a possible threat.
In recent years, reports of conflicts between raccoons and people have been increasing. Although some of these are specifically referred to aggressions, those that have to do with damage, noise and disorder in homes are more common; particularly in areas close to the natural spaces of these animals, allowing them to move more easily to urban areas in search of food.
What if a raccoon bites you?
As we have mentioned, raccoons can be aggressive and attack, biting or scratching with their strong claws, which would undoubtedly cause an injury to the affected person. But, in the face of a raccoon bite, the wound is not the only thing that should cause concern, since these animals can cause various infectious and parasitic diseases because they are transmitters of some pathogens.
An example of the above is rabies, which is caused by a virus that is transmitted by the bite of certain animals such as raccoons. This disease, as is known, causes serious consequences in an infected person. Another pathogen spread by the raccoon is Baylisascaris procyonis. Depending on whether it attacks the eyes, certain organs or the brain, it can cause severe damage. These pathologies can also be transmitted to other animals, such as dogs or cats. In addition, they often carry other viruses and bacteria, which are capable of making humans sick.
In this sense, if a raccoon were to bite you, immediate medical attention is necessary, not only to treat the wound, but also also so that the appropriate measures are taken to prevent certain diseases. Another important aspect to take into account is the possibility of contacting specialized personnel who capture the animal in order to carry out a veterinary evaluation and verify its he alth status, which would make it possible to know precisely if it is a carrier of any of the pathogens that cause diseases. This would certainly make treatment easier.
What to do if you see a raccoon?
In certain areas it is very common to see raccoons, therefore, it is always advisable to stay away from them no matter how docile and attractive they may seem. These are animals with well-developed senses and considered to have a certain degree of intelligence, therefore, it is not recommended to offer them food directly to avoid possible aggression from their they. Remember that they can take us as a threat. In addition, it is possible that the food you want to offer him is not entirely adequate. Although the raccoon's diet is very varied, you should always be careful.
On the other hand, if you live in places where these animals are usually, it is also important that you take the necessary precautions in your home to prevent them from entering and considering it as their den, especially mothers with their young. In this way, the possibility of unforeseen encounters with them, which could frighten them and produce a type of conflict, is reduced.
The idea is not to create fear of raccoons, but it is It is important to raise awareness towards appropriate behaviors with respect to themso as not to disturb them Let us remember that no matter how intelligent some animals may be, they do not have the ability to reason, so their behavior responds to their wild nature, for which they are not responsible in any case of the damage they may cause.
