Raccoons

CENTRAL OREGON WILDLIFE

RACCOONS

Raccoons are extremely common in Central Oregon – just like in the rest of the state! If you find an injured or orphaned raccoon or want humane exclusion advice, click here. Do not approach or touch the animal, especially with your bare hands. It is illegal to trap and relocate raccoons in the state of Oregon.

Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
The common raccoon occurs in suitable habitats throughout Oregon; it does not occur in high mountain regions or in desert regions except near permanent water sources. The characteristics that contribute most to habitats being suitable for raccoons are water and trees. Hollow trees provide dens that serve to insulate the occupying raccoon from inclement weather. Common raccoons are nocturnal, and are active throughout the year.  They commonly sleep in trees during the day. Their diet varies from fruits and nuts to easier prey to catch such as crayfish, amphibians, fish, and bird eggs.

Wild raccoons, in foraging along streams, commonly sit on their hind legs, stare vacantly into space, and search for food by “dabbling” with splayed-fingered forepaws.

Common raccoons are notorious for eating pet food left on a porch or getting into garbage cans for food.
Photo: T. Nolan

A Pair of Young Raccoons with Mother

CENTRAL OREGON WILDLIFE

Raccoons are extremely common in Central Oregon – just like in the rest of the state! If you find an injured or orphaned raccoon or want humane exclusion advice, click here. Do not approach or touch the animal, especially with your bare hands. It is illegal to trap and relocate raccoons in the state of Oregon.

Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

The common raccoon occurs in suitable habitats throughout Oregon; it does not occur in high mountain regions or in desert regions except near permanent water sources. The characteristics that contribute most to habitats being suitable for raccoons are water and trees. Hollow trees provide dens that serve to insulate the occupying raccoon from inclement weather. Common raccoons are nocturnal, and are active throughout the year. They commonly sleep in trees during the day. Their diet varies from fruits and nuts to easier prey to catch such as crayfish, amphibians, fish, and bird eggs.
Wild raccoons, in foraging along streams, commonly sit on their hind legs, stare vacantly into space, and search for food by “dabbling” with splayed-fingered forepaws.
Common raccoons are notorious for eating pet food left on a porch or getting into garbage cans for food. Photo: T. Nolan