What do Raccoons Eat?

Raccoons are omnivores and have a very diverse diet. what do raccoons eat? almost anything, depending on what’s available. Here’s a breakdown of what they commonly eat:

Fruits and Berries:

Apples, pears, grapes, and berries are favorites. They will also eat melons and other sweet fruits when they can find them.

Nuts and Seeds:

Raccoons enjoy nuts like acorns, walnuts, and sunflower seeds.

Insects:

They will catch and eat various insects like beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers.

Small Animals:

Raccoons may hunt small mammals, birds, frogs, or fish. They can even eat eggs if they find bird nests.

Plants:

Raccoons will munch on plants, including vegetables, leaves, and roots when foraging.

Garbage:

They are known to rummage through trash cans, looking for discarded human food like pizza, chips, bread, or anything that’s easy to grab.

Human Food:

Raccoons are notorious for stealing pet food, birdseed, and even food left outside for outdoor gatherings. They’ll also raid gardens and compost piles.

Raccoons have dexterous front paws, almost like hands, which allow them to manipulate and open containers or even doors, so they can access a wide variety of food sources.