Raccoons like sweet foods and drinks, yet avoid salt. When living adjacent to saltwater habitats, they feed on oysters and other saltwater foods, and may fish for crabs by dropping their tail in the water and jumping forward when the crab catches hold. In general, raccoons eat a wide variety of foods, including mammals, reptiles, fish, birds, eggs, insects, crawfish, and fruit, such as corn, apples, plums, grapes, acorns, beechnuts, berries, and persimmons. Senses and Instincts Raccoons are easily tamed if caught young. They care considered good natured animals but become aggressive if left without handling for a few days.
Sensory organs are highly developed.
Hearing, sight, and touch are very acute, but its sense of smell is not well developed. The raccoon is cunning, clever, playful, and a strong climber. Hibernation Winter activities of the raccoon vary in the southern and northern latitudes. In the southern United States it remains active throughout the year, except in cold weather when it will stay in its den for a week or more. In the north it becomes torpid and goes into a kind of hibernation or partially suspended animation similar to the bear's.