Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat a variety of plant and animal matter. Raccoons are also known to cache or store food for later consumption. They often gather food and store it in a safe location, such as a hollow tree or a burrow, to eat later when food is scarce. However, their diet changes seasonally, and in the winter, they must adapt to a more limited food supply.
In the winter, their diet may consist of stored foods they have gathered during the warmer months, such as acorns, nuts, and berries. They may also eat birdseed or pet food left outside, as well as insects, grubs, and other small creatures they can find. Some raccoons will also eat human food scraps or garbage.
In this article, we will explore in detail what raccoons eat during the winter months and how they survive the colder temperatures. From foraging for nuts and berries to scavenging for food, raccoons are expert survivors and have a diverse diet that allows them to thrive in the winter. We will also discuss how humans can help raccoons during this difficult time, as well as the potential dangers that raccoons face during the winter months.
What Do Raccoons Eat In Winter?
It’s hard to specifically say what the raccoon will eat. However, here are 8 types of food that are popular for raccoons to feed on in the winter season:
- Acorns
- Berries
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Insects
- Crustaceans
- Fish
- Grains and corn
1. Acorns
They are particularly fond of acorns during the fall and winter months when other food sources are scarce. Raccoons can crack open acorns and eat the nuts inside, helping to disperse oak tree seeds in the process.
They will also store acorns and other foods in caches to eat later. However, the availability of acorns in winter depends on the region, in places where there are no oak trees, acorns will not be available for raccoons to feed on.
2. Berries
During the winter months, when food is scarce, raccoons may eat berries that are still available in bushes and trees. However, the availability of berries in the winter may be limited, as many berry-producing plants lose their fruits during the fall or go dormant for the winter. Raccoons may also have to compete with other animals for the remaining berries.
3. Fruits
Eating fruits is important for raccoons in the winter as it provides them with essential nutrients and energy to survive the colder months. Fruits contain carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that raccoons need to maintain their health and energy levels.
Additionally, fruits can help raccoons maintain their body weight and fat stores, which can be crucial for survival during the winter when food is scarce. Eating fruits also help raccoons to maintain a healthy immune system, which is important for protecting against disease and infection during the winter.
4. Nuts
Nuts are a high-energy food that provides raccoons with the necessary calories to survive the colder months. Additionally, nuts are a good source of protein, which is important for maintaining muscle mass and supporting overall health.
Nuts also contain healthy fats, which can help raccoons maintain their body weight, and fat stores, which are crucial for survival during the winter when food is scarce. Nuts also provide raccoons with a variety of essential minerals and vitamins that are important for maintaining overall health, such as potassium, magnesium, and zinc.
5. Insects
Insects are high in protein and are a good source of energy, which are important for maintaining muscle mass and supporting overall health during the colder months when food is scarce. Additionally, insects can also provide raccoons with a variety of essential minerals and vitamins that are important for maintaining overall health, such as zinc, magnesium, and iron. Some insects also contain fat which can help raccoons maintain their body weight and fat stores, which are crucial for survival during the winter.
However, it should be noted that insects are not a primary food source for raccoons and they mostly consume them opportunistically when they find them.
6. Crustaceans
Eating crustaceans, such as crayfish and crabs, can be an important source of nutrition for raccoons during the winter months. As the weather gets colder, many food sources for raccoons become scarce, Crustaceans, however, can still be found in the water, even in the colder months, providing a reliable food source for raccoons.
Crustaceans are a rich source of protein, which is essential for maintaining a healthy diet and supporting the growth and repair of tissues. They also contain a variety of other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can help raccoons stay healthy during the winter.
7. Fish
Raccoons are known to be excellent swimmers and climbers, which allows them to access fish in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
Fish is a rich source of protein, which is essential for maintaining a healthy diet and supporting the growth and repair of tissues. They also contain a variety of other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can help raccoons stay healthy during the winter. Additionally, Fish is also a good source of energy that raccoons need to survive the cold winter months.
8. Grains and corn
Grains and corn are rich sources of carbohydrates, which provide a good source of energy. Raccoons are known to forage for food in cornfields, gardens, and other agricultural areas, where they can find grains and corn. They are also known to raid bird feeders and steal from farmers’ storages.
Additionally, Grains and corn are also good sources of fiber which raccoons need to maintain a healthy digestive system.
FAQs
Do Raccoons Go Out In Cold Winter?
Raccoons are active year-round and do not hibernate. They are well adapted to survive in cold weather and will continue to forage for food during the winter months. However, raccoons may become less active during extremely cold weather, as they try to conserve energy. [1]
Raccoons have thick fur coats which help them stay warm in cold temperatures. They also can lower their body temperature and metabolism to conserve energy when food is scarce. Raccoons are also known to store food in the fall to eat during the winter, so they can stay at their dens during the coldest weather.
Raccoons may also seek shelter in dens or other warm places during extremely cold weather. They are known to use tree cavities, rock crevices, and man-made structures such as attics and sheds as dens.
What Time Of Day Are Raccoons Most Active?
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active during the night. They typically spend the daylight hours resting in dens or other shelters and then come out to forage for food at night. However, raccoons are also known to be active during the day if the opportunity presents itself, such as if food is readily available during the day.
Additionally, They can adapt to different schedules if needed. For instance, raccoons that live in urban areas may become more active during the day if they can find food in trash cans or other sources of human-provided food.
Do Raccoons Eat Garbage In Winter?
In the winter, when other food sources may be scarce, raccoons may turn to garbage as a source of nutrition.
Raccoons are known to forage for food in trash cans, dumpsters, and other areas where human-generated waste is present. They are attracted to the smell of food, and they can use their nimble fingers to open containers and extract food. Garbage can provide raccoons with a source of protein and other essential nutrients, as well as an easy-to-find source of food during the winter when other food sources may be scarce.
However, eating garbage can be dangerous for raccoons as it can contain food that has spoiled or contains harmful chemicals. Additionally, eating garbage can also lead to a raccoon becoming habituated to human-provided food and losing its natural foraging abilities.
How Do Raccoons Survive In Winter?
Raccoons are well adapted to survive in cold weather and have several strategies to help them survive the winter months. Some of the ways raccoons survive in winter include:
1. Storing food: Raccoons are known to store food in the fall to eat during the winter, so they can stay at their dens during the coldest weather.
2. Thick fur coat: Raccoons have thick fur coats which help them stay warm in cold temperatures. They also can fluff up their fur to create an insulating layer of air, which helps to keep them warm.
3. Lowering metabolism: Raccoons can lower their body temperature and metabolism to conserve energy when food is scarce. This allows them to survive on less food during the winter months.
4. Seeking shelter: Raccoons may seek shelter in dens or other warm places during extremely cold weather. They are known to use tree cavities, rock crevices, and man-made structures such as attics and sheds as dens.
5. Adapting to foraging: Raccoons are known to be opportunistic feeders, they can adapt to different schedules if needed, and will turn to different food sources such as grains, corn, fish, and crustaceans in the winter, they may also turn to garbage as a source of nutrition during the winter months when other food sources may be scarce.
6. Insulation: Raccoons can store fat in their tails and body to help them survive the winter.
Where Do Raccoons Den In Winter?
Raccoons are known to den in a variety of locations during the winter. Some of the places where raccoons may den include:
1. Tree cavities: Raccoons will often den in hollow trees, particularly in older trees with large cavities. They may also use the hollowed-out base of a tree as a den.
2. Rock crevices: Raccoons may den in rocky areas, such as under boulders or in crevices in cliffs.
3. Man-made structures: Raccoons may den in man-made structures such as attics, sheds, barns, and other outbuildings. They are known to enter through holes in the roof, chimneys, or other openings.
4. Ground dens: Raccoons may dig dens in the ground, particularly in areas with soft soil, such as along riverbanks or in wooded areas.
5. Abandoned buildings: Raccoons may den in abandoned buildings, such as old houses or factories, for warmth and protection.
6. Storm Drains: Raccoons may den in storm drains or culverts, particularly in urban areas, for warmth and protection.