Raccoons eat almost anything, they are omnivores. So do raccoons eat fish?
Raccoons do eat fish. These mammals are omnivores eating plant and animal matter and fish is definitely something that they eat. Water makes their hands more sensitive, this helps them determine what they are eating. Their hands move quickly, this helps them catch fish. Their long thin teeth and claws tear the fish apart easily.
In search of food, hungry racoons will leave their dens to invade your home and personal space. But what do racoons really eat? Do raccoons eat fish? Today we explore answers to these questions. Whether you rear fishes, have a raccoon pal or want to satisfy your curiosity, this article will fill you in on all you need to know.
Racoons are known to have a fondness for water. They are known for ravaging bins, foraging fruits and nabbing household goods and because of this these blacked eyed omnivores have earned their names as masked bandits.
In the wild, they frequent watery spots like ponds, lakes, and rivers. Their sensitive front paws are stimulated by water. With so much fish in ponds and lakes it’s reasonable to assume that they eat fish.
Table of Contents
Do raccoons eat fish?
As opportunistic omnivores, racoons will eat almost anything and raccoons do eat fish. They eat anything from fallen fruits, nuts, insects, snails, slugs, roadkill animals, chickens, eggs, and vegetables, even garbage grade varieties of household foods such as pizza, burgers and many more.
They have a versatile digestive system capable of eating most meats, fruits, and plants. Raccoons both prey on other animals and steal from humans too. Their clever brains, strong stomachs and sensitive paws make them great survivors.
As delicious and nutritious as they are, fish aren’t that easy to catch. We humans have just about perfected catching and preparing fish, especially since its so nutritious.
Fish contain important nutrients such as vitamin D, protein, iodine, and omega 3 fatty acids. Eating fish improves brain functions, reduces the risk of diseases, reduces the risk of heart attack, cast off depression and improves vision.
Studies show that raccoons can and do benefit from eating fish. As omnivores human and raccoons share similarities in digestive systems and nutrient needs. Thus, fish benefits racoons in as much the same ways as it does humans.
Since their bodies are much smaller than human bodies, fish as a meal is intensely beneficial to racoons. It offers proteins, vitamins D, iodine, manganese, potassium, and omega fatty acids.
Raccoons gain muscle strength, joint flexibility, better bowel movements, improved blood flow, healthy sensory systems, improved vision, and protection from diseases when they eat fish.
A raccoons front paws are highly sensitive when wet, wet hands help them determine what they are holding. Plus their hands are nimble and lightning fast. Fast enough for a raccoon crouching in shallow water or a pond to snatch a fresh fish from the water.
Once snatched from the water the raccoon pins the fish down with its paws and disembowels it with its thin sharp teeth. The animal’s claws, paws and teeth slice the fishes scales and bones as it eats.
How to know if racoons is eating your fish?
Truth be told, raccoons often get a bad rap for stuff they may have never done. Other animals are also drawn fish as a tasty treat. Cats, possums, birds, foxes and even other fishes will eat fish as well.
There are a few tells that indicate the missing fish in your local fishpond, estuary, aquarium, or kitchen counter is the result of a raccoon. If there are no scales or intestines in the area then a raccoon may not be the perp. Due to their hunch back posture raccoons don’t enjoy travelling far with their food, they will eat the fish there and then.
Racoons will revisit the lake or pond looking for more food so if you keep an eye out on the location you will see who or what is snatching your fish.
Raccoons can swim very well but they prefer to position themselves on a slope or in shallow water to catch fish. If your fish pond is deep and or steep raccoons probably won’t try to catch there.
How to prevent raccoons from eating your fish?
If you realize that raccoons have been stealing your fish, there are things you can do to keep them away. One solution would be to add sensory lights, these will deter raccoons.
Changing the layout of your fish pond to make it deep with steep banks makes it an unappealing place for raccoons. Even adding fish caves or areas that fish can hide in can keep them safe from raccoons. You can also try removing points of easy access to keep raccoons away from your fish.
What else do raccoons eat?
Racoons are opportunistic omnivores who don’t eat only meat or fish alone. Their diet often includes a variety of foods such as snails, mussels, amphibians, crabs, birds, rabbits, nuts, berries, cherries, vegetables and whatever may be in your local garbage bin.
This flexible eating habit makes them prone to contracting many zoonotic diseases. So, be careful and have your guard up when encountering racoons in the wild.
Here are some articles looking at if raccoons eat chocolate and birds. Click the links to find out more
Conclusion
Racoons can and do eat fish. They are opportunistic omnivores with sensitive paws and sharp teeth. They easily snatch fish from water bodies to eat.
Fish offers raccoons a wide range of nutrients and benefits. If you think raccoons are attacking and eating your fish and there are no scales or intestines left in the area then you may be right. Raccoons eat a variety of other plant and animal material as well.
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other raccoon related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Can You Make Raccoon Poison With Coke?, Can You Repel Raccoons Using Ammonia-Soaked Tennis Balls?, Are Raccoons Afraid Of Dogs? , Raccoon In Backyard At Night, What Do Raccoons Eat In The City?, What To Do If You See A Raccoon At Night?