Raccoons are highly intelligent and adaptable mammals, distinguished by their masked face and ringed tail, frequently encountered in urban and suburban environments. Like most wildlife, raccoons are naturally timid, and unprovoked attacks on humans are exceptionally rare. Their primary instinct is to avoid confrontation and flee when they sense a person nearby. Direct interactions usually occur when their search for food brings them close to human dwellings, but they remain focused on scavenging.
Primary Reasons Raccoons Attack Humans
Raccoons attack humans almost exclusively when they feel their safety or their offspring are at risk, acting purely out of defense. A mother raccoon protecting her kits is a common trigger for aggressive behavior, as she will fiercely defend her young from any perceived threat. Getting too close to a den in an attic, shed, or under a deck can provoke an aggressive response.
A frequent cause for an attack is when a raccoon feels cornered or trapped, such as when a person blocks its escape route. If the animal has no clear path to retreat, its fear turns into a desperate defensive action, leading it to scratch or bite. Attempts to catch, trap, or tame a raccoon also increase the likelihood of an attack, as the animal perceives the human as a direct threat.
A third reason for an unprovoked attack is when the animal is sick or injured. Raccoons infected with the rabies virus may act erratically, showing aggression or a strange lack of fear. While a healthy raccoon usually runs away, one that is ill may stagger, appear disoriented, or approach humans, making it particularly dangerous.
Major Health Risks Associated With Raccoons
The most serious health risk from a raccoon bite or scratch is the transmission of the rabies virus, a deadly infection of the nervous system. Raccoons are a major carrier of rabies in North America, and the virus is transmitted through saliva that enters the body via a wound from a bite or scratch. Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, making prompt medical treatment after any exposure necessary.
A significant danger is Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis), a parasite found in raccoon feces. Raccoons establish communal defecation sites called latrines, and the microscopic eggs in the droppings become infectious after two to four weeks. Humans can be infected by accidentally ingesting these eggs from contaminated soil, water, or objects, often without any direct contact with the animal itself.
Once ingested, the larvae hatch and migrate throughout the body, causing symptoms that range from nausea and fatigue to severe neurological damage. In rare cases, the larvae can migrate to the eyes or brain, potentially causing blindness, permanent nervous system disabilities, or even death. This is a concern for small children who may play in areas where raccoons have left droppings.
Avoiding Conflict and Responding to Encounters
Preventing encounters begins with removing the attractants that draw raccoons to your property. To eliminate easy meals and prevent denning, take the following steps:
- Secure all garbage cans with locking lids or heavy restraints, as unsecured trash is a primary food source.
- Pet food should always be fed indoors.
- Remove any fallen fruit in the yard promptly.
- Seal off potential entry points to your home, such as uncapped chimneys, unsecured vents, and openings into attics or crawl spaces.
If you encounter a raccoon, maintain a calm demeanor and give the animal plenty of space to retreat. Do not approach the animal, and slowly back away to remove yourself from the area, allowing the raccoon an open path to escape.
If a raccoon appears sick, is staggering, or shows strange behavior like approaching you without fear, do not attempt to handle it. If the animal is aggressive or will not leave, contact local animal control authorities for assistance.
If you are bitten or scratched, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least five minutes to reduce the risk of infection. Seek prompt medical attention, as a doctor will determine the need for a rabies vaccine and other necessary treatments.