Animals like raccoons have had to learn to live in a variety of different environments, they are highly adaptable, they are able to eat a variety of different foods in order to survive.

Whether it’s food from the trash, foods in their immediate surroundings, or plants and animals in your pond, raccoons will likely eat it. So what about water hyacinth? Do raccoons eat water hyacinth? This article looks into it 

Raccoons do eat water hyacinth, these animals are very attracted to this plant and will seek it out. Raccoons love the large, thick, juicy, bulbous leaves of the water hyacinth. Also, this plant doesn’t need to be chased as insects do, raccoons, which can be lazy, will prefer eating it over catching live prey 

Do raccoons eat water hyacinth?

Raccoons are highly adaptive, they are omnivores, they can eat both plant and animal matter.

Their basic diet can include anything from eggs to fish, to fruits, vegetables, nuts, grubs, small animals, small amphibians, and even water hyacinth

Accessing the flower:

The water hyacinth may seem like a beautiful delicate flower to humans but this plant is simply another food source for raccoons. Raccoons can stand along the edge of your pond and easily grab the plants.

Raccoons can also swim into ponds in order to grab these plants. This is an easy meal for them. In fact, raccoons are very attracted to this plant 

Raccoons have no problem swimming to water hyacinths either, these animals can not only swim, but they can also swim very well. If a raccoon is determined to get to some water hyacinths in your water body it certainly will.

Eating the plant:

Raccoons love that this plant has large bulbous thick leaves, the thick green leaves and pretty flowers are delicious and succulent to these animals.

Also, this plant has tough fibrous roots, raccoons can eat these as their teeth are sharp and their jaws are strong enough to break the roots down 

Raccoons may love to eat this plant but this doesn’t mean that the animal will eat too many and kill off the population, raccoons know when to stop eating and water hyacinth is one of the fastest-growing plants, the water hyacinth population can double in two weeks

Lastly, raccoons can be lazy, if they have to choose between catching and eating a fish and picking a water hyacinth, they will pick the water hyacinth because this plant requires no chasing. 

How do I keep raccoons out of my fountain? 

Pond drops:

If you can, before you install the fountain, look to see if you can find a fountain that has a steep drop off, raccoons find steep cliffs more difficult to navigate than shorter cliffs or gentle entrances 

Mesh blockades

Mesh blockades also help keep raccoons away, install these around your fountain or pond, ensure that the blockade is more than two feet wide, this will keep raccoons from reaching over it.

This is also safer and cheaper than using an electric fence. 

Pond netting

Pond netting can also be used to protect your water hyacinths from raccoons, not only is this method cheap but it is effective as well. If you prefer, you can choose to install an “invisible” pond netting, this allows you to maintain the picturesque design of your garden while still protecting your plants 

What animals eat water hyacinth? 

Water hyacinth is eaten by a variety of animals, these include wetland birds, waterfowl, mottled water hyacinth weevils and the chevroned water hyacinth. 

Surprisingly, there are a variety of animals that don’t eat water hyacinth, these include voles, mice, squirrels, rabbits and deer. Thankfully, there aren’t many animals that you need to protect your water hyacinth from 

Humans can also eat this plant, the stalks and leaves are especially liked, they are used in soups in Thailand. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, yes, raccoons can eat water hyacinth, these animals are very attracted to these beautiful flowers and their succulent leaves. Raccoons will swim into your pond to eat water hyacinths over having to chase after and catch insects.

Other organisms that eat water hyacinth include wetland birds, waterfowl, mottled water hyacinth weevils, and the chevroned water hyacinth, humans eat this plant as well.

Animals that don’t eat this plant include voles, mice, squirrels, rabbits and deer

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 water lilies?, Do raccoons eat worms?, Do raccoons eat wet cat food?, Do raccoons eat wood?, Do raccoons eat wild mushrooms?