If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t thought much about your closest furry neighbours, the raccoon. Urban mammals are great at staying hidden, and you may only encounter them occasionally. Unfortunately, most people only give much thought to the presence of urban wildlife when they encounter a problem, home invasion, or negative pet encounter. As you wait for humane raccoon removal in Victoria, consider these fascinating qualities of your masked interlopers.

They Are Great at Getting Rid of Pests

Though a lot of people think of raccoons themselves as pests, the vast majority in any urban space are only interested in finding food, providing for their young, and staying out of the cold. Though they can carry rabies, these instances are rare, and their aid to the local ecology far outweighs any dangers they pose to humans.

Raccoons eat an omnivorous diet, meaning they subsist on plant matter, fruit, and meat from prey animals. They tend to take advantage of whatever happens to be around them. If your area is full of mice and rats, they’ll happily feed on these, keeping the numbers of such pests far lower than they would otherwise be.

They Are Good for Ecosystems

Raccoons play an important role in human-dominated areas because they are among the few predators that are capable of living so close to people. Where foxes and coyotes prefer to stay away from human homes unless they have no other choice, raccoons can stealthily remain nearby undetected. 

They spend many of their waking hours scavenging for food and can eat insects, crustaceans, bird eggs, and other accessible meals. They even kill cockroaches when they get the chance. Though it can seem a little brutal, having ravenous predators around brings needed balance to ecosystems. 

They Clean Up After Roadkill

Sadly, vehicle traffic in most cities kills thousands of animals per year. While city cleanup agencies sometimes arrive to remove such unhealthy and unsightly remains, they often overlook a large percentage. Raccoons and other scavengers are essential for getting rid of this remaining portion. 

Your local masked bandits have an extremely hardy stomach, complete with antiseptic saliva and an extended digestive tract. This enables them to digest substances that would kill or seriously harm a human. They sometimes eat rotten trash and often consume deceased animals. 

They Have an Incredible Sense of Touch

Just like dogs are known for their impressive sense of smell, raccoons are known for their sense of touch. If you look at a picture of their fingers online, you may be shocked by the similarity to your own.

Of course, there is a good evolutionary reason for this adaptation. Since your furry urban neighbours spend much of their time scavenging at night, they often need to reach into areas that are hard to see. Riparian or semi-aquatic areas are some of the best places to look for bugs or small crustaceans, and this requires an excellent sense of touch.

You May Need To Call Wildlife Removal on Vancouver Island

Raccoons have truly taken over North America, including islands and inlets throughout the Pacific Northwest. The only places devoid of any sizable populations are very dry deserts and desolate tundras. 

While raccoons are interesting and important, they can be a nuisance if allowed to enter a breach in your home. Never leave food outside for wildlife or pets, as this can attract unwanted intruders. If you’ve already attracted an entrenched population, the only thing left to do is call wildlife removal.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Removal, we understand how important urban mammals are to the local environment. That’s why we make sure to safely and carefully remove them so their families can remove young pups on their terms. For experienced and caring removal services, call Skedaddle today.