What Does Raccoon Poop Look Like?

Raccoon poop is the main sign of the presence of raccoons, a nocturnal mammal, in a place or area. You might want to know what raccoon poop looks like. Raccoon poops can vary, depending on several factors such as the raccoon’s diet, the raccoon’s age, and the raccoon’s health. Understanding what raccoon poop looks like can be beneficial to you, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast or a wildlife management professional. In this article, we will learn the characteristics of raccoon poop, potential health risks, and what to do if you find raccoon poops.

Identifying Raccoon Poop

Raccoon poop can vary depending on several factors such as the raccoon’s diet, age, and health. To identify raccoon poop, we must understand some of its common characteristics.

1. Size and shape of raccoon poop

Typically, raccoon poops are cylindrical in shape, similar to small dog droppings. The size of raccoon poop ranges from 2 to 3 inches and has a diameter of about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. The dimensions of raccoon poop can be affected by several factors such as the age and diet of the raccoon.

2. Color of raccoon poop

Generally, the color of raccoon poop is dark, ranging from brown to black. The dark color of raccoon poop is caused by pigments in the food consumed by raccoons, such as its favorite food berries, and other fruits. Fresh raccoon poops may appear moist or slightly shiny.

3. Contents of raccoon poop

A common characteristic of raccoon poop is the inclusion of undigested food particles, such as berry seeds, grains, and insect exoskeletons. As we know, raccoons are omnivorous animals that have a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, small animals, insects, and human food waste.

4. The odor of raccoon poop

You will easily find raccoon poop because raccoon poop has a distinctive musky or earthy smell. The odor is caused by the raccoon’s diet and digestive process. The odor of raccoon poops may not always be strong, but its presence is always noticeable. You can find raccoon poops especially in concentrated areas or raccoon latrines.

5. Location of raccoon poop

Raccoons usually make their defecation places called latrines. Raccoon latrines are formed by raccoons repeatedly using the same location to defecate. The locations of these latrines are often found near their den sites or along public travel routes. Over time, raccoon latrines can build up, and raccoon droppings can be found piled up.

Health Risks Associated with Raccoon Poop

When you come across raccoon poop, you should be careful. There are several health risks associated with raccoon poops. According to research, raccoon poop contains a variety of pathogens, parasites, and harmful microorganisms that can pose problems for human and pet health.

Here are some of the health problems associated with raccoon poop:

1. Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris Procyonis)

One of the health concerns associated with raccoon feces is the transmission of raccoon roundworms. You should know that parasitic worms found in the intestines of raccoons usually produce eggs that are excreted through feces. When these eggs are ingested, either through direct contact or a contaminated environment, they cause health problems such as nerve damage. Children and pets are particularly vulnerable. Ingesting even a small number of eggs can be very harmful to health.

2. Salmonella and other Pathogenic Bacteria

Apart from the presence of roundworms, raccoon feces also usually contain bacteria such as Salmonella. Direct contact with raccoon feces, or surfaces contaminated with raccoon feces can lead to bacterial infections. For information, Salmonella infection can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.

3. Leptospirosis

A health risk associated with raccoon feces is Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted through contact with soil, water, or surfaces contaminated with raccoon urine or feces. Symptoms of leptospirosis in humans include headache, muscle pain, fever, and in severe cases, kidney, and liver damage.

4. Giardiasis

Raccoon feces may also contain the protozoan parasite Giardia. If you accidentally swallow water or eat food contaminated with the Giardia protozoan parasite, it can cause giardiasis. Symptoms of Giardia include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

5. Rabies

Another health risk associated with raccoons is rabies. Yes, as it turns out, raccoons also carry rabies. According to a 2018 survey, raccoons are the second most frequently reported rabid wildlife species in the United States, accounting for about 30% of all animal cases. Last year the United States Department of Agriculture used helicopters to drop almost four million bait packets treated with an oral rabies vaccine designed to inoculate raccoons in some Eastern and Southern States.

What to Do If You Find Raccoon Poop?

If you find raccoon poop, careful handling is required to minimize potential health risks. When you suspect raccoon poop in or around your home, consider the following steps:

1. Wear protective equipment

You should wear protective equipment such as a mask before cleaning or removing raccoon poops. This is very useful to reduce the risk of direct contact and inhalation of pathogens carried by raccoon poop.

2. Avoid direct contact

Remember to always avoid direct contact with raccoon poop. Never touch raccoon poop with bare hands or you will regret it. Use disposable gloves when cleaning raccoon poops. Bacteria on raccoon poop can be transmitted through direct contact with your skin.

3. Use disinfectant

In addition to wearing a mask and gloves, you must also use disinfectant when cleaning raccoon poops. Use disinfectant or a solution of bleach and water to clean the area affected by raccoon poop. This will help kill pathogens carried by raccoon poop and reduce the risk of contamination.

4. Keep children and pets away

If you find raccoon poop in your yard or around your home, immediately keep your children and pets away from the area. Remove the raccoon poop and make sure that the area is clean and safe for your children or pets. Remember that children and pets are more susceptible to ingesting contaminants. Pets can get parasites if they swallow water or eat food contaminated with raccoon poop.

5. Seek Professional Help

If raccoons have created latrines in or around your home, then you should seek professional help. Contact an animal control agency or wildlife control service immediately. They usually have the expertise and equipment to deal with raccoon-related problems safely and effectively.

6. Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you suspect that you or a family member in your home came into direct contact with raccoon poops and are experiencing some symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, fever, or neurological problems, then you should immediately contact a Health Care Provider for medical assistance. Let them know that you or your family members have potentially been exposed to raccoon poops. They will provide treatment immediately.

In addition, you can also take measures to prevent raccoon poop in or around your home. Some precautions, such as securing trash cans, removing food sources, and closing entrances, create a less attractive environment for raccoons.

Recognizing and understanding the general characteristics of raccoon poop is important for any homeowner, outdoor enthusiast, or wildlife management professional. Remember that raccoon poop can pose a health risk as they contain a variety of pathogens, parasites, and harmful microorganisms. Identifying raccoon poop, taking appropriate actions when handling raccoon poop, and taking preventative measures, can help minimize health problems associated with raccoons.