Raccoons are not picky about what they eat. These furry animals can sometimes eat foods that humans and other animals view as unsavory. But this willingness to eat almost any food put in front of them is an advantage for raccoons.
Raccoons eat anything from fresh fruit and vegetables to trash from the garbage. But how about cockroaches? Do raccoons eat roaches? This article looks into it.
Raccoons can, and do, eat cockroaches but they do this only if they need to. Raccoons eat insects but they prefer slow-moving, juicier insects like grubs and earthworms over cockroaches. Roaches are also more difficult to hunt than slower insects
Table of Contents
Do raccoons eat roaches?
Cockroaches are disliked by the vast majority of people. These tiny insects are seen as dirty by humans, however, animals see insects (roaches included) as food.
Raccoons see insects as food, this includes roaches.
To raccoons, food is food, whether its a roach, worm, grub, or any other food
Benefits of raccoons eating roaches
Insects, roaches included, are great sources of protein, protein is an essential nutrient that many animals need for survival.
Roaches, in particular, contain protein crystals, these crystals can deliver good amounts of energy to raccoons or any animal that eats them. Cockroaches are also a good source of other nutrients for raccoons and other animals.
How raccoons catch roaches:
Raccoons have very quick and dexterous fingers, if a raccoon wants to eat a roach it will simply reach out using its long, sharp, strong claws, grip the insect and crush the roach between its fingers.
That being said, raccoons are lazy, they like to conserve their energy.
Thus, if they can, they’ll prefer to catch and find easier prey such as worms and grubs.
These insects provide good amounts of nutrients to raccoons but they are much slower than cockroaches and will put up less of a fight when caught and eaten.
Raccoons also eat plants, plants offer no resistance to being eaten and don’t need to be hunted.
Even though raccoons are able to eat cockroaches, they won’t if they have the opportunity to eat something else.
Raccoons eating roaches is helpful to humans because these animals can do pest control to a certain extent. Having raccoons in your area will greatly cut down on the roach population in your area.
What animals eat roaches?
Raccoons aren’t the only animals that can eat roaches. These tiny insects are eaten by a variety of animals such as:
- Frogs
- Turtles
- Hedgehogs
- Rats
- Beetles
- Opossums
- Centipedes
- Toads
- Geckos
- Lizards
- Some types of birds
- Wasps
- Snakes
- Praying mantis
- Mice
- Spiders
Although these animals can eat cockroaches they cannot be depended on as pest control.
These animals don’t eliminate cockroach populations in the wild, and they will not eliminate cockroach populations in and around your home.
What are a raccoons favourite foods?
Raccoons will eat a variety of different foods but there are certain foods that raccoons prefer over others. Their favorite foods include eggs, nuts, insects, and berries.
These foods are both delicious to these animals and packed with good amounts of vitamins and minerals which the animal will love
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes raccoons do eat cockroaches but they will only do this if they need to and if they are starving.
Raccoons prefer other insects such as grubs and earthworms over roaches because they are easy to find and catch. They also prefer plants as these don’t need to be hunted.
Animals that eat cockroaches include frogs, turtles, hedgehogs, rats, beetles, opossums, centipedes, toads, geckos, lizards, some types of birds, wasps, snakes, praying mantis, mice, and spiders
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: Do raccoons eat rattlesnakes?, Do raccoons eat raccoons?, Do raccoons eat meat?, Do raccoons eat eggs?, Do raccoons eat roses?
