According to the Canadian Wildlife Federation, there are over 1.1 million raccoons in Southern Ontario alone. These wild animals have become increasingly popular in the country, urban, and suburban areas.
Part of the reason why raccoon populations near human settlements are not only surviving but thriving has to do with how adaptable they are, compared to other wild animals. These animals adapt to different climates and habitats and can easily change their diets to suit their new environments. Call our raccoon removal services in Milton.
Since there is a growing population of raccoons in many cities, how different is their diet from what they’re used to?
A Raccoon’s Natural Diet in the Wild
Raccoons, like humans, are omnivores. Their diet consists of both plants and animals. When they’re in the wild, raccoons eat a variety of berries, fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables.
They are also skilled at using their paws to catch and eat fish, poultry, birds, frogs, insects, squirrels, worms, rats, snakes, and other small livestock.
This diverse diet indicates that raccoons don’t necessarily have a particular preference when it comes to what they consume, but rather, they’ll eat whatever is available to them.
A Raccoon’s Adapted Diet in the City
Since raccoons will easily adapt their diet to whatever environment they find themselves in, finding suitable food for them in the city is not a problem.
Some cities do offer raccoons the rodents, birds, worms, fruits, nuts, and other previously mentioned foods that they normally eat in the wild. But when in the city, these foods may often be a little more difficult to find.
City raccoons are prone to targeting human trash cans and will consume whatever foods they find available. In situations where homeowners have tight-fitted lids on their trashcans which make it difficult for the animals to open and find food, raccoons will resort to breaking inside of homes to find pet food or any other available human food.
Should You Feed a Raccoon?
There are varying opinions on whether or not it’s okay to feed raccoons in neighborhoods. Since there’s been such a huge influx of them over the years, these cute animals may have found their ways into many people’s hearts.
While you might feel that feeding them by placing some food outside your house is a better alternative to them knocking down your trashcan in search of food every night, it’s important to note that raccoons are wild animals and they carry diseases.
Rabies is often a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. Although raccoons rarely have the disease, according to studies done by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, raccoons are identified as the leading cause of the disease.
Their urine and feces are also hazardous and carry diseases and bacteria such as leptospirosis, an infection that can cause liver, kidney, and respiratory problems, as well as meningitis or fatality.
Feeding raccoons will make them come to your home every day for food and this will expose you and your family (including your pets) to some of these health risks.
Taking measures such as having tight-lidded trashcans will make the raccoons move on to another home where they can easily find food. If they do, however, manage to find their way into your home, such as in the attic, then contacting our wildlife removal services in Milton, we will ensure the safe and timely removal of the animal: 647-496-2215.