Exotic Raccoon Species Found Around the World

There are various types of raccoons in the world.  Each species is similar to each other, but different in their special ways, as their surrounding environment, climate, and diet influence their unique and identifying qualities. Continue reading to learn about the interesting types of raccoon species found all around the world.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
The Common Raccoon – Procyon Lotor

 The Common Raccoon (Procyon Lotor)

The most common North American raccoon is called the Common Raccoon, or scientifically, Procyon Lotor. North American raccoon colonies are found all throughout Canada and the United States. Their appearance is what most people would consider the typical raccoon stereotype. They have a black mask-like stripe across their eyes and a striped bushy tail. Their coat can vary in color, from fur tones of gray and tan, to dark browns and blacks.

Adults weight an average of 25 to 30 pounds, and grow to a height of 30 to 36 inches. They have black beady eyes, long claws, and dexterous paws. They are excellent climbers that partake in a diet of fruits, berries, small invertebrates, and insects. These raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and stay active at night. For shelter, raccoons use hollow trees, dens, attics, and any other small available spaces they can find. This is why they can be considered a nuisance in residential and commercial neighborhoods.

The Guadeloupe Raccoon

Another interesting species of raccoon is the Guadeloupe Raccoon. These raccoon colonies are found in small numbers throughout the island of Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles. They are smaller than the average raccoon, with dark grey fur. They are an endangered species, and only found on this island.  They live in the rain forests and often hunted by humans as food. Their diet consists of frogs, acorns, berries, crayfish, and other small invertebrates.

White-Nosed Coati Raccoon

The White-Nosed Coati species typically reside in moist, dense forests and wooded areas. Due to this preference of habitat, White-Nosed Coatis are primarily found in Arizona and New Mexico when in the Americas.  They have relative species in Costa Rica, Columbia, Mexico, and Cozumel as well. They are smaller in size to the common raccoon by as much as 10 pounds. Their faces are marked with white fur on their nose at the tip of a very long snout. Their fur is less dense and shorter than a common North American raccoon, but share the same diet habits as they are also omnivores. They eat eggs, small vertebrates, insects, fruit, and more.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
The Crab-Eating Raccoon (Procyon Cancrivorus)

The Crab Eating Raccoon

There is a raccoon known in the central and south Americas called the Crab Eating Raccoon. It is called the Procyon Cancrivorus and it lives in marshes and jungles all throughout the region. They are recognized by their salt and pepper looking coats, a brown and grayish mix. They usually eat aquatic insects, crabs, crawfish, and small fish, hence the name Crab Eating Raccoon.

Ring-Tailed Raccoon

The Ring-Tailed Raccoon is more often called the Ring-Tailed Cat, even though it is not part of the feline family at all. This species of raccoon slightly resembles the common raccoon, but much smaller, weighing on average between 1 to 4 pounds. Ring Tails have long bushy tails that are longer than their own bodies and have black and white stripes. Their fur is short just like a cat. Also called ringtail cats, marv cats, and miners cats, Ring-Tailed Raccoons are commonly found living in Colorado, California, Kansas, Nevada, Oregon, and even New Mexico with their cousin the Coati. They are omnivores just like the other raccoon species we’ve mentioned, however they are also one of the most carnivorous species of raccoon in the world. They eat small birds, frogs, snakes, rats, mice, and even rabbits!

Louisville Raccoon Control Services

Call 502-553-7622 if you are experiencing raccoon problems in Louisville, Kentucky. We offer residential and commercial raccoon removal and control, as well as, raccoon-proofing and prevention, minor restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon cleanup, and much more. We may even be able to perform homeowners’ insurance claim work. Request a free estimate or advice, anytime. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Do You Have a Raccoon Problem?

When you see just one raccoon on your property, there is typically no reason for concern. But when you start to see raccoons more than once, you might be wondering if you have a problem. Continue reading to learn how to spot the signs of nuisance raccoons, and what you can do to stop them from coming back.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Nuisance Raccoon Activity

In nature, a raccoon’s innate behaviors are necessary for survival, and therefore, easy to appreciate. However, in a residentials or urban setting, raccoon behaviors are threatening, and can wind up costing property owners a lot of time and money. One of the most common nuisance behaviors of raccoons is dumpster diving, in which they will go to great lengths to access garbage in search of food. This leaves behind a huge, unsightly mess. Another nuisance behavior is lawn digging. Raccoons will dig up lawns, shredding every last square inch, in search of juicy grubs and larvae.

But perhaps the most destructive behavior raccoons are known for is residential structural damage. Raccoons have long, sharp claws, as well as, human-like hands, giving them the ability to rip, tear, pry, shred, and open. As a result, homes can suffer costly exterior damage. In the case of an infestation, the damage takes place inside the home, which is both costly and dangerous to your health. Common sites for raccoon structural damage include windows, screens, door frames, siding, roof shingles, patio grates, garage doors, trashcans, gardens, and attics.

How to Stop Raccoons

Raccoons trespass onto properties for two reasons: food and shelter. So, if your property offers any of these amenities, raccoons will know, and they will remember forever. In order to stop raccoons from visiting each night, you must make them lose interest in your property. You do this environmental modification. Remove all food and water sources, including pet food, trashcans, compost piles, and even squirrel feeders and bird baths. Block off or lock up anything you can’t remove.

Next, remove or block off all possible areas that can serve as shelter, such as tree houses, play sets, jungle gyms, trampolines, junk cars, log piles, porch cavities, and more. Your last step is to contact a local Louisville raccoon removal company for professional exclusion work. This entails inspecting your home for possible openings or vulnerable spots that will let raccoons in, and then sealing them to prevent infestations.

Where to Get Affordable Raccoon Control in Louisville

Call 502-553-7622 if you are experiencing nuisance raccoon problems in Louisville, Kentucky. We offer residential and commercial raccoon control, as well as, raccoon proofing and prevention, minor restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon cleanup, and much more. We may even be able to perform homeowners’ insurance claim work. Request a free estimate or advice, anytime. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control