They dig in garden beds, eat fruit off trees and vines, knock down corn and break into bird feeders. Knowing a little bit about the life and habits of this gregarious animal can help you protect your landscaping and produce from these masked marauders. Nocturnal by nature, raccoons often go about the business of searching for food late evening, night and early morning. They are omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods, from fruit, vegetables, eggs and birds to insects, carrion, fish and other aquatic animals, pet food and garbage. Adult male raccoons are widely ranging, traveling territories of three to 20 square miles.
Females cover much smaller areas, usually about one to six square miles.
Raccoons den up in hollow trees, buildings, drain pipes, under decks, in brush piles and abandoned burrows. Attracted to urban and suburban residential areas by the abundance of food, water and shelter, raccoons are often more plentiful than people think. Since they mostly come out at night, evidence of their passing is seen far more often than the animals themselves. Oregon State University wildlife biologist Dan Edge suggests that you reduce the easy availability of food, water and shelter. Bring your pet food and water bowls inside at night.