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About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I'm an evolutionary biologist with a passion for animals. Ask about natural history, behavior, ecology, evolution. PLEASE NOTE:

If you have found an "orphaned" wild animal or bird:
Please don't waste time asking questions on the internet, as the answers may come too late. DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL, and DO NOT HANDLE IT unless it is in imminent danger. (Many wild "orphans" are not orphans at all!) If you are absolutely sure it is orphaned, keep it warm and quiet, and find a LICENSED WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR HERE. Don't try to raise the baby yourself. Many a well-intentioned rescuer will do more harm than good, especially with baby birds and baby rabbits.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMALS
Without geographic location, time of day and habitat, I can't help. A clear picture is always best.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMAL SOUNDS
It's impossible for me to I.D. an animal call without hearing it myself.

COMPARATIVE STRENGTHS
I'm not an expert on comparative strengths of different animals (more complicated than you might think!) nor bite forces.

FIGHTING ANIMALS
I refuse to answer "Which of these two animals--X or X--would win in a fight?".

These hypothetical matchups range from impossible (Grizzly Bears and Gorillas don't even occupy the same continent.) to ridiculous (Someone asked me "Who would win a fight between a Great White Shark and a tiger?").

The vast majority of animals--even the fierce and powerful--are not as warlike as Homo sapiens, and it's childish to project our aggressiveness onto them.

Experience
I have been the fortunate caregiver to a group of Black-tailed Jackrabbits rescued from the Miami International Airport, and not releasable in this area because they are not native. I also have rehabbed and released Eastern Cottontails, and am in contact with many very experienced wildlife rescuers who regularly handle injured or orphaned rabbits and hares.

Organizations
House Rabbit Society

Publications
Exotic DVM journal

Education/Credentials
I have a Ph.D. in Biology, with main areas of expertise in evolutionary biology, genetics, botany, and ecology.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Wild Animals > raccoons

Wild Animals - raccoons

Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 10/24/2009

Question
are raccoons dangerous in a suburban residential area, i.e. rabies, biting, danger to pets, etc.

Answer
Dear Inna,

Raccoons are highly intelligent, curious, and can be aggressive if they lose their fear of humans. They are not likely to attack unprovoked, but they will not hesitate to kill a debilitated or trapped small pet such as a cat, dog, rabbit or other companion animal that has been left outside (even in a cage) overnight. So yes, they can be dangerous.

They can carry the rabies virus, but this virus tends to be endemic only in certain areas, and outbreaks are usually known pretty quickly by the local Department of Agriculture or other animal control agencies. Contact them to find out if this is a risk in your particular area.

To avoid trouble with raccoons, simply avoid making your property attractive to them:

1. Keep your property clear of brush piles or other inviting nesting habitat
2. Do not leave any type of pet food outside at night.
3. Keep all trash and garbage tightly sealed so that marauding raccoons can't get in.
4. Keep all doors and windows screened and secure so that, even when the glass is open, raccoons are not likely to try to enter.
5. Obviously, NEVER, NEVER feed wild raccoons. If they start to associate you with food, then they can become very dangerous. Their behavior is unpredictable, as might be expected in a wild animal species.

I hope this helps.

Dana

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