During fall, raccoons stock up on fatty nuts and seeds for the coming winter. Preferred plant-based foods include tubers, seeds, berries, and nuts. They are primarily solitary, though mothers and their young stay together for the first few months. They only go as far as their appetite will take them. They do not travel far from a comfortable den.

However, when in dire need of food, they will venture out during the daytime.

Raccoons are nocturnal and are rarely active during the day. However, raccoons do not hibernate they live off their fat reserves and can lose up to 50 percent of their body weight.

In winter, raccoons spend weeks in their dens without eating. In late fall and early winter, their fur will thicken into a heavy winter coat and they will eat as much as they can find to tide them over during harsh weather. In urban areas, chimneys, attics, and crawl spaces underneath homes are common den sites. Raccoons den in hollow trees, rock crevices, and ground dens. They are terrestrial, but also excellent swimmers. They originated in North America and can be found across the United States, Canada, and Central America. They have been found in marshes, prairies, forests, and even in urban areas. Their latin name lotor means “the washer.' Being very adaptable, raccoons can be found anywhere water is available. Home is where the water is: Raccoons are known for washing their food before consuming it. Most other species live on tropical islands. During the 20th century, raccoons were introduced to other parts of the globe, and now have an extensive presence in countries like Germany, Russia, and Japan. There are six species of raccoon, in addition to the familiar North American raccoon. Raccoons have highly dexterous front paws and have been known to unlock locks and get into trash cans for food. Raccoons are excellent climbers, as well as being good swimmers however they may be reluctant to get wet, since they do not have “waterproof” fur. The raccoon's coloration is ideal for a nocturnal lifestyle, enabling it to vanish like smoke when harassed. They have round ears bordered by white fur. All raccoons have bandit-like face masks. Their dense fur is grayish-brown, and the tail has 5 to 7 complete dark rings, alternating with broader brown or gray rings. Raccoons weigh between 12 and 35 pounds (females are usually smaller than males). They will do anything in their power to acquire food of all kinds. Their superior dexterity has proved no match for combination locks on dumpsters or fastened windows. Raccoons are highly intelligent and curious. Often seen as a pest to farmers, raccoons play an important role for our ecosystem by controlling the rodent populations that they prey upon. They have adapted to living with and near humans. There are actually quite a number of rabbit predators I need to worry about if I want to keep my fluffy-eared besties safe.Smokey the bandit: Raccoons are one of the few native North America wildlife that have not been restricted by urbanization and human development. It seems that snakes aren’t my only concern whereas my pet bunnies are concerned. Final Thoughts About Animals That Prey on Rabbits The Rabbit Advocacy Network states that rabbit meat products slaughter at least 1.2 billion rabbits, equating to 200 million tons of rabbit meat. Since we eat rabbit meat, we are considered rabbit predators, and based on how many rabbits we slaughter, we might be the main rabbit predator. Humans may not always hunt rabbits, but we breed them for commercial slaughter. Predatory instincts: Hunt, kill, and eat rabbits Time most active: Depends on the snake, but usually when it’s coolest like dusk or dawnĪrea commonly found: Central Texas has the most snakes all other states in the USA except for Alaska and Hawaii Here are the most common predators that prey on rabbits: 1. I’ve also included where the predator is mostly found so you’ll know if the animal is a threat. In the wild, if the animal is most active during dusk and dawn, then there’s a high probability that the predator will run across a wild rabbit that’s also crepuscular. Final Thoughts About Animals That Prey on Rabbits 25 Animals That Prey on Rabbitsįor each rabbit predator, I’ve included when the animal is most active.

Raccoon predators