Do More Raccoons Live in Urban Areas, or Wild Areas?

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More raccoons live in urban areas than they do in wild areas. Also, the raccoon population in cities is higher than it is in the countryside. You could say that they’re just returning us the favor. We’ve progressively encroached their habitat with our loud roadwork noises and continuous urban expansion, and now they’re encroaching on us. And while humans will continue to remain the one single creature on Earth that is able to carve a life for itself in every habitat on this planet, the way raccoons are acting, these smart mammals might just be the only runner-ups.



Raccoons are avid consumers, not much different from modern man, and their numbers flourish in densely populated towns and cities where the lack of natural predators, the never-ending food supply, and the safety of our modern structures offer them all they need in order to thrive. Raccoons are omnivorous, and their original lifestyle has perfectly equipped them for life in the city, where they can easily open doors and containers, effortlessly climb into attics or chimneys, dig their way into our properties, open garbage cans, tear packages, and eat from cans and jars. Adding to these wonderful circumstances, people in urban areas who aren’t used to worry about their crops, their farm animals, or the different structures they have on their land, don’t fear the destructive nature of raccoons. Most city folks will find raccoons endearing and amusing, often initiating contact with them and feeding them on private properties. And although feeding raccoons in public green spaces is against park rules and regulations, it is not illegal for one to do so, hence people will often feed raccoons in public areas such as parks and other open spaces.

Even with round the clock city garbage collection and with homeowners taking more and more preventive measures against raccoons, it looks like we’re still struggling just to make a dent in the raccoon population. Nonetheless, we must further pursue these activities, otherwise the raccoons will overrun us, spreading disease and wreaking havoc in the process of doing so. This means no more feeding the raccoons and no more “socializing” with them. We need to keep our distance. Also, any time when confronted with a home raccoon infestation, a legit pest control company should be contacted. They will know how to properly capture the animals, and where to release them so that they don’t end up adding to the problem.

Go back to the Raccoons in the attic home page.