Good Habitat for Raccoons

Unlike many animals, raccoon populations have grown the past 50 years. The raccoon can adapt to just about any surrounding, mostly because much of its natural habitat has been removed and replaced with concrete urban settings. If you keep a raccoon as a pet, it is important to re-create a good habitat.

  1. Home Range Area

    • Raccoons have adapted well to humans who continue to encroach on what used to be wilderness. They are often seen in suburban and even urban areas as the home range is about 75 acres for males and 20 acres for females. This means that if there are homes and businesses within 75 acres, chances are the raccoon will make himself comfortable there. A pet raccoon should not be kept in an enclosure smaller than 6-feet-by-6-feet-by-12-feet.

    Landscapes

    • In the wild a raccoon usually will be found in an area with plenty of timber or vegetable fields, with a source of water nearby. Raccoons will make their den in hollow trees, the burrows of other animals, old cars, abandoned barns, and just about anywhere else they can find a bit of cover from the elements.

      In captivity a raccoon should have access to several trees, a wading pool for water and bathing, climbing toys, and wooden boxes he can make a den or bed in. Such items will allow your raccoon to do what is instinctive in the wild, even though he is being kept in an enclosure.

    Diet Considerations

    • Raccoons are voracious eaters They feed on grasshoppers, grapes, corn, beetles, nuts, cherries, bird eggs, snakes, acorns, garden vegetables, worms, and anything else they can find. Raccoons are often found in Dumpsters and gardens foraging for food. That's because raccoons do not hibernate despite often living in areas with harsh winters. The raccoon has to eat during the spring, summer, and fall to create a fat reserve that allows him to get through the winter without eating at all, if necessary.

      In captivity, feed a diet of fresh foods, supplementing with dry dog or cat food. Food should be available at all times, since it is instinctive to eat to put on that fat layer. Corn is a favorite, as are grapes, watermelon, minnows, and crickets. Change things up from time to time to keep things interesting for a captive raccoon.