Raccoons are highly adaptable mammals known for their distinctive mask and resourceful nature, thriving in diverse environments from forests to bustling city streets. Their success is largely attributed to an exceptionally varied diet and their ability to exploit new food sources. A common perception is that these nocturnal foragers possess a significant attraction to honey, leading many to wonder about the truth behind their sweet tooth.
The Sweet Tooth of the Raccoon
The raccoon’s strong preference for sugary foods, including honey and discarded sweets, is rooted in a biological need to maximize calorie intake. As they do not hibernate but enter periods of torpor, raccoons must consume a high-fat, high-sugar diet throughout the warmer months to build up sufficient fat reserves for winter survival. Their acute sense of smell guides them directly to calorie-dense options.
Their extremely dexterous, hand-like front paws allow them to manipulate objects and access containers that other animals cannot. In areas with abundant human food waste, this attraction to sugars can lead to raccoons carrying greater body mass and exhibiting higher blood glucose levels compared to their counterparts in wilder settings.
Raccoons and Beehives: A Natural Encounter
The popular image of a raccoon raiding a beehive is often associated with a simple craving for honey, but their motivation is more complex and nutritionally driven. While they consume the honey for its sugar content, their primary target is the protein-rich bee brood, which includes the larvae and pupae encased within the honeycomb structure. This brood provides a concentration of fat and protein that is far more valuable for building body mass than sugar alone.
The raccoon’s thick fur and relatively tough skin offer natural protection against stings from defensive bees. When approaching a hive, their nimble paws dismantle the structure, pulling out frames and comb to access the contents.
Beyond Sweets: The True Omnivore Diet
Despite their strong attraction to sweets, the raccoon’s survival hinges on its identity as a true and highly opportunistic omnivore. Their diet is incredibly varied, changing seasonally and depending on the local availability of food. Common natural staples include aquatic life such as crayfish, frogs, and fish, which they forage for along water margins.
Terrestrial food sources are equally diverse, encompassing insects, grubs, bird eggs, nuts, and a wide array of wild berries and fruits. In agricultural or suburban areas, they readily consume corn, a significant source of carbohydrates, and garden vegetables.
Keeping Raccoons Away from Your Sweets
Homeowners can reduce the appeal of their property by eliminating easy access to high-calorie food sources. Securing garbage cans is the most effective first step, using bungee cords, heavy locks, or storing the cans inside a secured shed or garage. The strong odors of food waste can be masked by double-bagging smelly items or spraying the exterior of the can with a diluted ammonia solution.
Removing all sources of sweet, fallen fruit from trees is also important, as these provide a concentrated, high-sugar meal directly on the ground. Pet food bowls should never be left outside overnight, and outdoor grills must be thoroughly cleaned after use.