Raccoons
at
a Glance
![Raccoon grooming in grass](https://northlouisianawildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/raccoon-tensas-river-nwr29-1600x900.jpg)
Key Features:
Raccoons are medium mammals with bushy tails, brown or gray fur, striped tails, and black masks on their faces.
Least Concern - Population Increasing
Habitat:
Cities, forests, and marshlands
nesting habits:
Raccoons mate in late winter or early spring and give birth to one to one-six kits in late spring.
seasons raccoons are active in our area:
All year
Diet:
Berries, crawfish, eggs, frogs, fruits, insects, nuts, pet food, plants, rodents, and garbage
hunting Behavior:
Raccoons eat any food that is available.
Commonly Confused With:
Unique in North Louisiana. Here are two cool facts.
![Common raccoon washing its hands in a pool](https://northlouisianawildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/raccoon-tensas-river-nwr0611-1600x900.jpg)
Raccoons wash their front paws before meals to soften the skin on the bottom of their feet so they can feel the food they eat.
![Common raccoon foraging in a field](https://northlouisianawildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/raccoon-catahoula-nwr010-1600x900.jpg)
Although, raccoons have the highest rate of rabies in the United States, there are no reported cases in Louisiana. Skunks and bats are the biggest carriers of rabies in Louisiana.