Mountains lions can eat between 20 to 30 pounds per meal and can easily devour a raccoon that typically weighs between 7 to 20 pounds.Īlso, mountain lions are opportunistic hunters that hunt from dusk to dawn, which is prime time for killing raccoons that are nocturnal animals. Therefore, most hawks attack smaller raccoons like babies and juveniles. However, a hawk cannot carry an animal that’s heavier than its own body weight. Hawks are another predatory bird that is a threat to raccoons. The red fox, which is is the largest of the true foxes, is the most active type of fox that preys on raccoons. So it’s most common for foxes to eat younger and smaller raccoons than their adult counterparts. Foxesįoxes are scavengers as well as predators and are relatively the same size as raccoons. This bird will prey on adults and juveniles it finds in the wild as well as try to steal them from other animals that have already attacked and/or killed them. Therefore, raccoons are not safe in any way from a bald eagle. The National Eagle Center reports, “ prey items include waterfowl and small mammals like squirrels, prairie dogs, raccoons, and rabbits.” EaglesĮagles like the bald eagle are opportunistic predators that will hunt for live prey as well as steal it from other animals. “Raccoons do not seem to be vigilant toward coyotes when caught on camera, and their activity patterns overlap, all of which indicates that coyotes are not depredating raccoons, meaning they’re not eating them,” said Chris Moorman, professor and interim associate head of the North Carolina State University Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. But in other areas of the globe, coyotes leave raccoons alone.Īn article published by NC State University shows that raccoons are unlikely prey for coyotes in the North Carolina region. In some parts of the world, coyotes are common raccoon predators that will actively hunt and prey on both adults and juveniles. Bobcatsīobcats are fierce hunters that can kill animals much bigger than themselves, but this carnivore typically eats smaller game like raccoons, rabbits, mice, and squirrels because they’re easier to catch.Ī bobcat hunts most animals by biting the skull, neck, or throat for an instant kill.
And therefore, alligators attack them and feed on the body.
So it’s not that alligators are actively seeking to prey on a raccoon but that raccoons are a threat to the alligator species. According to National Geographic, “Raccoons eat eggs and baby alligators.” One of the main reasons an American alligator eats raccoons is because these mammals encroach on the alligator’s territory.
A raccoon has many natural predators and falls prey to a variety of species. Sexual maturity: Female raccoons can begin to breed at one year of age whereas males tend to begin later at the age of two.What Eats Alligators? 10 Alligator Predators (Animal Answers) What Eats Raccoons?Īnimals that eat raccoons include alligators, bobcats, coyotes, eagles, foxes, hawks, mountain lions, owls, wolves, and humans. Young raccoons will typically stay with their mother through the first winter after which they gradually leave. One of the main threats to young raccoons is predators such as the coyote.
RACCOON PREDATORS HOW TO
They are cared for exclusively by the female who teaches them how to forage for food and shelter. Rearing: Newborn raccoons are blind and deaf for their first three weeks but grow quickly. Female raccoons produce litters between 1 and 7 offspring (typically 3 or 4). Litter size: The gestation period is around 63 days. It is not uncommon for mothers to make a last minute den to give birth in which is why urban structures are so attractive. Offspring are born about 9 weeks after mating. This prolonged mating season makes it essential for wildlife technicians to detect if there are any babies present during the initial assessment. Mating occurs during the winter months but can continue until June. Once per year: Male raccoons will attempt to mate with multiple partners each season whereas the female will mate with only one male, avoiding all others afterwards.