September 20, 2024, 3:46 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
For some, they are a nuisance, while others would love to keep them as pets. On social media, the animals are mostly shown from their cute side, such as washing fruit or playing with objects. But can raccoons really be kept as pets? PETBOOK takes a closer look at these seemingly sweet little bears.
More diligent than any housewife, they wash every apple and grape before consuming them, at least when they live in captivity. It looks absolutely adorable, and many want to keep the cute animals as pets. However, raccoons in the wild also pose a threat, as their diet includes native species such as reptiles and amphibians. PETBOOK has followed the trail of these cute little bears with the black face mask.
How did the raccoon come to Germany?
After the “newcomers” spent their lives on fur farms in Germany in the 1920s and ’30s, two pairs were deliberately released into the wild at Edersee in Hesse in 1934 to establish them here. The populations of these non-native species grew so quickly that they were soon included in hunting laws in Hesse. Today, around 1.3 million of these plush predators feel at home in Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Lower Saxony, and Berlin.
Kassel is now the “raccoon capital,” with 100 animals per 100 hectares. Headlines often claim it’s a plague, and calls for culling are made. However, many organizations, such as wildlife rescue groups, advocate for peaceful coexistence. They recommend better securing trash or entrances to sheds or attics. Raccoons like to climb over balconies and seek shelter in attics, garden houses, or garages.1
Also interesting: 6 tips to keep raccoons away from your home and garden
Can you keep a raccoon as a pet?
If you’re considering adopting a raccoon, you must first present the necessary space and a plan for an outdoor enclosure to the local district office. Additionally, you should know that the animals must be kept in pairs; otherwise, they become depressed and/or aggressive. Socializing them with a robust dog breed is also possible if they are accustomed to each other from a young age.
In general, raccoons are unsuitable as pets, as the “Raccoon Project” in Müritzpark found during a domestication study. Raccoons never become tame like dogs and cats, remain untrainable, and often live an inappropriate life in an outdoor enclosure.
What to do if you find or capture a raccoon?
If you find an injured, sick, or orphaned raccoon, it’s best to contact a wildlife rescue center, as raccoons are considered an invasive species by the EU and cannot be released back into the wild. Therefore, you should observe a young animal from a distance for a while to ensure no mother is present before rescuing it. If no mother appears within 24 hours, you should definitely contact a wildlife rescue center. Ideally, the young raccoon, once rescued and nursed, will be returned to its family. If it cannot be returned, there is a problem, as most rescue centers are at capacity for raccoons. In that case, the only option is to contact the responsible veterinary office.23
The funny videos on social media usually only show cute snapshots and not the chaos these little thieves cause behind the scenes. When the animals reach sexual maturity, they can become aggressive and even dangerous.
Can You Keep Raccoons as Pets in Germany?
How Dangerous Raccoons Are to Humans and Animals
Why do raccoons wash their food?
Raccoons are omnivores and feed on invertebrates, plant matter, and vertebrates. When observed in captivity, it often looks like they are washing their food. However, this is a kind of idle behavior or imitation. In the wild, they use their paws to examine everything closely to determine if it’s edible. They dig under stones and wood, feeling the shape and texture of their prey with precision.
In captivity, raccoons like to dunk everything in water, and this behavior is mistakenly interpreted as “washing.”
With their five fingers, raccoons are so dexterous that they can open locks and unscrew bolts. If they eat a poisonous toad, they first peel off its skin with their sharp fingers.4
Why raccoons are dangerous to our native species
Since raccoons have no natural predators here and adapt well to their environment, they pose a potential threat to many animal species. In our forests, the nocturnal predator preys on partridges, snipes, or pheasants. The good climber also doesn’t stop at owls, stealing eggs from nests or eating young birds. Other animal species can also fall victim to them. Hunters are increasingly stepping in to regulate and protect native species.
By the way: Its black Zorro mask not only serves as camouflage in the bushes, but the black fur reflects less light, reducing glare.