topics: Why would raccoons fight?

domingo, 12 de abril de 2015

Why would raccoons fight?

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) species that inhabits North America may range in weight from 6 to 32 pounds. They are inquisitive animals that behave more like a cat than a dog both at play and when threatened. If a battle is imminent, the raccoon will first arch his back like a cat in an effort to look larger to his opponent while hissing and growling to intimidate. He will also slowly walk back and forth with his front legs held lower than his hind ones. This resembles a crouching position. A raccoon will attempt to avoid fighting unless necessary.

Food Supply

A raccoon will fight for its food if another raccoon threatens or attempts to take it. Prized finds such as a nest of bird eggs or fish are highly guarded by the raccoon as they are delicacies and harder to find than other types of foods. A raccoon is a solitary animal once full grown, and most arguments over food occur between young siblings still living within the safety of their mother’s den. Occasionally, a fight will occur between adults over food to show dominance when feeding in common territory.

Protecting Offspring

A female raccoon will viciously protect her young from predators as well as any other raccoons who venture too close. The raccoon is polygamous, and the father raccoon will kill his young if given the opportunity. The mother raccoon will fight fiercely to protect her babies while they are in her care, and it does not matter if the opponent is another raccoon or a predator with the intent of harming her young.

Mating

When mating season begins, typically during the winter months, a male raccoon will fight to defend and protect his mate. Although he has nothing to do with raising young, the male will stay near his mate during her pregnancy. He is not welcome once the young are born and if he does not leave on his own, the female will chase him away by fighting him if necessary.

Play

A young raccoon learns many survival skills through play with her mother and siblings. Their play resembles that of kittens arching their backs, hopping sideways and then pouncing on their opponent. They growl and hiss just as if their lives were actually threatened by a predator. Although injuries rarely occur during these wrestling matches, the sounds that ensue sound like a true cat fight. This play fighting will take place between siblings for the first year of their lives.

Threatened

A raccoon would rather avoid a confrontation, but if backed into a corner, he will come out with teeth showing and claws ready to use. Raccoons rarely fight with each other without a good cause. It is much more common for a raccoon to fight for his life when encountering a predator such as a coyote or even a domestic dog who has gotten too close.