Raccoons are clever and highly curious wildlife Wichita creatures. Over the years they have grown dependent to humans which will often cause issues on both parties. They are nocturnal creatures that make it difficult to catch them in the act. They will rummage our trash can and create an unbelievable mess. Their sharp claws can cause destroy our vegetable gardens and cause damages to the structure of our property. Raccoons when in the wild will live up to 3 years; their life span in captivity will be a lot longer. They have a fur that is colored gray. They have a unique black mask and dark rings on their tails. Here are more amazing facts about the raccoons that you might want to know.

Raccoon's Diet

Raccoons are classified as omnivorous Wichita creature. This means that they will eat absolutely anything as long as it is edible. In an urban setting, they will invade our garbage can to search for our leftovers. This is due to the limited access on wildlife and fresh fruits and vegetables. The raccoons that are living in the wild will often hunt for small rodents, amphibians such as frogs, and crayfish. They will also invade the nest of the birds to steal their hatchlings and eggs. They love to eat berries, invertebrates, nuts, plants, and insects.

Raccoon's Habitat

Raccoons are native to North America. Nonetheless, there has been an emergence of Kansas raccoons in some parts of Europe and Asia such as Japan. This furry creature love to reside in wooded areas where there is a direct access to the vegetables, fruits, and creatures that they eat. You will normally find their den on burrows that have been abandoned by other burrowing animals. The hollow of the trees will also serve as an excellent home for them. When hunting for their food, they can travel an average of 18 miles just to retrieve their meal. Raccoons also have an amazing skill to adapt in a diverse surrounding. They are found in suburban and urban areas where they will invade our attics, basement, sheds, and garage.

Raccoon's Behavior

As aforementioned, Kansas raccoons will usually be active during nighttime. During winter, they prefer to sleep in their den. The nesting season will be during the latter part of the winter season and their offspring will be born in April or May. For at least one year, the baby raccoon will be under the protection of the mother raccoon. After a year, they will become more independent. They are social creatures and prefer to live with a raccoon community to protect themselves against the threat of the predators. They can produce 200 different sounds when communicating with the other raccoons. 

Life Cycle

The mating season will start from January and will last up to March. The mother raccoon will then give birth to around 4-6 litters. After 6 weeks, the young raccoon will be able to stand up. The mother raccoon will be responsible in teaching the baby raccoon to climb trees and hunt foods. The protection of their mother keeps them safe from predators. It will take at least one year before they become completely independent. 

The young Wichita raccoons are adorable creatures. In fact, some people even keep them as their pet. However, the adult raccoons may not be recommended for the beginners. Their sharp claws and canine teeth can injure you if you don't deal with them properly.