What do raccoons eat?
Quick Answer
Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores that eat almost anything: crayfish, frogs, fish, insects, worms, bird eggs, fruit, nuts, corn and human garbage. Their diet changes with the seasons and habitat, and in towns they readily raid trash cans, pet food and bird feeders.
Key Takeaways
- Northern raccoons (Procyon lotor) are true omnivores
- Aquatic prey like crayfish, frogs and fish is a favorite near water
- Fruit, nuts, acorns and corn become important in late summer and fall
- They fatten up in autumn but do not truly hibernate
- The famous "washing" is really feeling food with sensitive paws
- Feeding raccoons is discouraged and often illegal
What Raccoons Eat in the Wild
Animal foods
- Crayfish, crabs and other crustaceans
- Frogs, salamanders, turtles' eggs and small fish
- Insects, grubs, beetle larvae and earthworms
- Bird eggs and nestlings
- Mice and other small rodents (opportunistically)
- Carrion
Plant foods
- Berries, grapes, cherries, apples and persimmons
- Acorns, walnuts, beechnuts and other nuts
- Corn and other crops, sometimes causing damage
- Seeds and vegetables from gardens
How Their Diet Changes Through the Year
- Spring: insects, worms, eggs and aquatic animals as they become active
- Summer: more fruit, berries and crops, plus abundant invertebrates
- Fall: heavy feeding on nuts, acorns, corn and fruit to build fat reserves
- Winter: they sleep through cold spells in dens and live partly on stored fat, coming out to forage on milder nights
Urban Raccoons
Raccoons thrive in cities and suburbs, where they eat garbage, compost, pet food left outdoors, birdseed, fallen fruit and garden produce. Their dexterous front paws let them open lids, latches and even some containers, which is why secure trash cans with clips or weights are the best deterrent.
Do Raccoons Really Wash Their Food?
Not exactly. The species name lotor means "washer", and captive raccoons often dunk food in water. Scientists think this "dousing" is about touch: wetting the paws makes their already very sensitive front paws even better at feeling what they are handling. Wild raccoons forage this way along stream banks, but they eat dry food without washing it.
Why You Should Not Feed Raccoons
- They lose their fear of people and can become aggressive
- Feeding concentrates animals and spreads disease, including rabies and distemper
- Raccoon roundworm eggs in their latrines can seriously harm people and pets
- Human foods like bread and sweets are poor nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a raccoon's favorite food?
Near water, crayfish and other aquatic animals are a staple. In fall, nuts, acorns, corn and ripe fruit are highly favored. In towns, easy garbage and pet food are often their top choice.
Do raccoons eat cats?
Raccoons rarely kill adult cats, though they may fight over food and could injure kittens. They are more likely to eat cat food left outside.
Do raccoons eat meat?
Yes. They eat insects, crayfish, frogs, eggs, small rodents and carrion, along with plant foods.
Do raccoons hibernate?
No. They may sleep in dens for days or weeks during very cold weather, living on fat reserves, but this is not true hibernation.
What foods are bad for raccoons?
Bread, sweets, chocolate, salty snacks and processed foods. Wild raccoons should not be fed at all.