One of the most reliable ways to confirm the presence of raccoons around your property is by identifying their distinctive tracks. Raccoons possess highly dexterous paws, both front and back, each equipped with five fingers and toes, leaving behind prints that can initially be mistaken for small human handprints.
Raccoon Front and Back Paw Identification: Key Differences
Raccoon forepaw prints often resemble miniature human handprints, clearly displaying five digits extending from a palm-like shape. In contrast, hind paw prints share similarities but feature elongated heels, which tend to sink deeper into softer surfaces like mud or soil. Recognizing these subtle differences is crucial for accurate identification.
Understanding Raccoon Gait from Their Tracks
Raccoons exhibit a peculiar gait, distributing most of their weight towards their hindquarters. This results in a track pattern where fore and hind paw prints appear either side-by-side or slightly staggered. Observing this gait pattern in the tracks can further solidify raccoon identification. It’s also common to find raccoon tracks in muddy areas, which explains why these prints sometimes appear on elevated surfaces like tabletops or vehicles, as raccoons explore their surroundings.
Why Finding Raccoon Tracks Can Be a Cause for Concern
Discovering raccoon tracks isn’t just about identifying wildlife; it can also signal potential health hazards. Raccoon tracks might lead you to nearby latrines, which are communal waste sites used by these animals. Raccoon scat can harbor roundworm eggs, which pose a health risk to humans if inhaled accidentally when dried droppings are disturbed. Furthermore, leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, can also be transmitted from animals to humans through contact with contaminated environments. Latrines are frequently located in secluded areas of homes such as garages, attics, and within walls, making these spots prime locations to investigate if you suspect raccoon activity.
Prime Locations to Find Raccoon Tracks Around Your Home
While you might hear raccoons moving within your property, visually confirming their presence often involves finding their tracks in areas they frequent. Common places to discover raccoon tracks include along walls, within attic insulation, and imprinted in dust on ductwork.
Identifying Raccoon Tracks on Walls
Raccoon tracks on a wall, showcasing their hand-like appearance against a vertical surface
How to Spot Raccoon Tracks in Your Attic Space
Clear raccoon paw prints in attic dust, illustrating the five-fingered pattern
Recognizing Raccoon Tracks on Your House Exterior
Raccoon tracks on a house exterior, highlighting their size and shape in an outdoor setting
Multiple raccoon tracks on an exterior surface, demonstrating common trail patterns
Finding Raccoon Tracks in Outdoor Environments
Raccoons are often active in muddy terrains, which is a reason their paw prints are commonly found on unexpected places like outdoor furniture or vehicles.
Raccoon tracks in mud, clearly showing the five toes and overall paw shape in natural substrate
Raccoon Gait and Track Patterns
Raccoons’ distinctive gait, with weight shifted to their back end, leads to fore and hind paw prints appearing closely together, either directly adjacent or slightly offset.
Dealing with raccoons on your property can be challenging and potentially hazardous, often requiring the skills of wildlife management professionals. If you’ve identified Raccoon Paw Prints on your property, it’s advisable to contact the wildlife removal experts at Critter Control for safe, humane, and effective removal strategies.
Image Gallery of Raccoon Tracks
Raccoon pawprints discovered in an Attic by Critter Control of Indianapolis.
Get them out. Keep them out.®
Experiencing a wildlife issue? Professional help is available! Complete the form on the Critter Control website, and your local Critter Control® office will reach out to assist you.
Quicklinks
