Wildlife is full of countless creatures with impressive characteristics. Raccoons, the cute yet dangerous "robbers" of nature, are also among the creatures with some very interesting characteristics. A favorite among many due to their unusual appearance, raccoons can adapt to both the wild and urban life, are highly intelligent, and have a surprisingly long lifespan. But there are other characteristics that make raccoons truly fascinating. Here are 15 amazing facts about raccoons you probably haven't heard before.
1. Raccoons in captivity can live up to 20 years.
Unfortunately, raccoons living in the wild have much shorter lifespans. On average, raccoons in the wild live only three years.
2. They can make more than 50 different sounds.
In other words, they have a much more developed communication system than many creatures in the animal kingdom.
The city with the largest raccoon population today is Toronto.
4. They are not very picky about food.
Insects, frogs, fish, vegetables or fruits… Raccoons eat almost anything that catches their eye!
5. Cars are the main enemies of raccoons!
Cougars and bobcats pose a fairly serious threat to raccoons. However, these interesting creatures don't have many enemies in the wild. However, raccoons most often die in car accidents.
6. There are 7 different species of raccoons.
7. The average weight of a raccoon ranges from 3 to 9 kilograms. Their average length is 40-70 centimeters.
8. The duration of pregnancy is 63 days.
However, raccoons give birth to an average of seven pups at a time. Baby raccoons spend the first few years of their lives in the same place where they were born, and during this time, the mother raccoon raises her pups alone.
9. They are one of the most intelligent creatures in the wild.
Experts estimate their intelligence to be close to that of primates. For example, they can learn certain tasks that require intelligence, such as opening lids with their claws. Scientific studies suggest that they can remember newly learned skills for many years.
10. It is not known exactly why they need the black "mask" around their eyes, which is why they are nicknamed "wild bandits".
However, some scientists believe that this mask gives raccoons, which are typically nocturnal, sharper night vision.
11. They spend the winter in their dens.
However, they don't have the habit of hibernating. On the other hand, raccoons enter a sort of "sluggish" phase when the weather gets colder.
12. They can move very fast.
Even when climbing trees! The ability to quickly disappear with "stolen" food, reaching speeds of up to 25 kilometers per hour, is one of the most typical characteristics of raccoons.
13. It is not easy to predict how a raccoon will behave.
For this reason, in some cases they can pose a serious threat to humans. On the other hand, the numerous diseases they carry, especially rabies, are a concern that requires caution when approaching raccoons.
14. Their furs were a highly prized status symbol until the 20th century.
For this reason, raccoon hunting was quite common in the 19th and 20th centuries. People would trap and hunt them. Various fur products, especially hats, fetched very high prices back then.
15. Their front paws, each with 5 toes, are extremely sensitive.
