Twelve raccoon facts, fact-checked
The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a small carnivore whose success comes almost entirely from its hands and its problem-solving. Full profile in our raccoon guide.
1. They are not washing food
The species name lotor means washer, but wetting the paws increases the responsiveness of nerves in the skin. They are feeling, not cleaning.
2. Around four times the touch receptors
Compared with most mammals, concentrated in the forepaws. Roughly two-thirds of the sensory cortex is devoted to touch.
3. They identify objects without looking
Raccoons can recognise items by touch alone, and can do so before touching them by sensing through water.
4. They solve locks
In classic experiments raccoons opened complex latches, remembered solutions for years, and solved them again when the mechanism was inverted.
5. The mask cuts glare
Black fur around the eyes reduces reflected light, improving night vision — the same principle as an athlete's eye black.
6. They thrive in cities
Urban raccoons reach higher densities than rural ones, and urban populations show measurably bolder problem-solving.
7. They can rotate their hind feet
180 degrees, allowing head-first descent from trees.
8. They do not hibernate
They enter torpor in extreme cold, living off fat reserves, but wake and move on milder days.
9. They carry raccoon roundworm
Baylisascaris procyonis is transmissible to humans and can be serious, which is why latrine sites should not be disturbed without precautions.
10. They are a major rabies vector in North America
Managed through large-scale oral vaccine baiting rather than culling — which does not work.
11. They are invasive in Europe and Japan
Escaped and released pets established wild populations that now damage native wildlife.
12. Securing bins beats removal
Removing raccoons creates a vacancy that others fill. Securing food waste is the intervention that actually works.
Read the full raccoon wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.
