All this took was for one raccoon to say to another, "I know a guy"

I am a retired RCMP Officer living in a rural setting in Nova Scotia, Canada. I spend my time enjoying nature and feeding my furry friends, the raccoons. I also feed the deer in the winter months and many varieties of birds.

Mobbed by raccoons looking for their share of freebies.

This is about a middle-aged man who loves animals. He feeds them and cares for them and he feeds raccoons and the news got around among the raccoon population where he lives that there is a man in a red waterproof jacket who feeds them so they can get nice and plump before the winter months. They turn up in their droves. 

He estimates that there are 30 raccoons around him in this video. Amazingly the raccoons are behaving relatively politely. You might say that they are polite and in some respects queueing up for their delight. Not sure what he's feeding them. One commenter says that it is hot dogs. Whatever it is they love it and they take their turn in getting one.

Can raccoons be aggressive towards people and bite them?

Raccoons, those masked bandits of the animal kingdom, often evoke curiosity and a touch of wariness. Let’s delve into their behavior and see if they’re likely to engage in a showdown with humans:

1. Aggression and Attacks:

   • Raccoons do have the capacity to attack humans, but it’s rare. Their aggression typically arises under specific circumstances.
   • Provoked Aggression:
     • When provoked, raccoons may become aggressive. For instance:
       • Threatened Young: Female raccoons, especially protective mothers, can get feisty if they perceive a threat to their offspring. They’ll arch their backs, growl, and even lunge defensively.
       • Scavenging Mode: If a raccoon is in extreme scavenging mode or feels threatened, it may exhibit defensive postures.
   • Unprovoked Aggression:
     • Some raccoons, particularly those that are ill or disoriented, might engage in unprovoked aggression.
     • Rabies Risk: About 30.3% of raccoons are carriers of the rabies virus, making incidental bites a potential health concern for humans.

2. General Behaviour:

   • Flee, Not Fight: Humans are too large to be considered prey, so raccoons usually flee rather than attack.
   • Self-Defence: When they do attack, it’s usually out of self-defence.
   • Temperament: Raccoons don’t actively seek out biting incidents; they’ll only do so if they feel threatened or if their den or young ones are at risk.

In summary, while raccoons can be aggressive, they’re not inherently dangerous unless provoked or ill. So, if you encounter one, maintain a respectful distance and let them go about their masked business! 🦝

Sources: Various and many! Including: Ranger Planet, Wildlife Start, Animal Wised.

RELATED: Domestic cat is dominant among foxes, raccoons and stone martens (Germany)

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.