Do Raccoons Like Water?

Raccoons like water. They wash their hands with water which is quite unusual for animals. Raccoons climb trees, walk ontheir feet and can swim. Research has shown that a raccoon can swim as fast as 5 kilometers andcan stay in the water for several hours. Rivers, lakes and even your private swimming pool-these good swimmers might get into your pool. You visit the pool for comfortability, raccoons visit water bodies for a variety of reasons. This article will address these reasons, why you shouldn't allow a raccoon in your pool and to prevent occurrence.

One reason raccoons will swim is their hunting instincts. Part of the raccoon large diet are fishes, crayfish, frogs and so on. These creatures find their habitats in the water bodies. In order to continue their good meal, they have adapted to finding these creatures to their home. In some instances, raccoons can use swimming as an advantage over predators. In a viral clip, a raccoon was shown drowning a coon hound. While swimming, it is usual to see a raccoon hold on to branches to keep afloat while hunting.

Incredible swimmers, they can manifest swiftness. At a depth close to 5 feet, raccoons can survive under water for minutes which makes them almost out of view for most onlookers. With a fur of over 85% covering the body, you can expect a very warm animal with less worry aboutcold. In the winter period, you might never find a raccoon near a water body not to talk of swimming through. They forsake their marine food during this period and look forother source.

Having raccoons might seem cute to you but they come with unprecedented troubles for you. Raccoons poo whenever they swim. Anywhere a raccoon swim, there is a large probabilitythat it has poo and urinated in the pool. These droppings are enough to carry diseases. Common is leptospirosis, a disease that carries the symptoms of several other illnesses. Leptospirosis is transmitted through an infected raccoon urine. Giardia is another disease that raccoons dropping cause. It can cause watery stool if it overpopulatesthe intestinal tract.Roundworm causes hemorrhage of the intestinal lining and is damaging to the intestinal tract.

You might want to strive to keep them off your waters. Here are few tips you should keep in mind:

Trap and takefar away.

Not stubborn but very smart, so, you might a raccoon coming over and over to your pool. It is smart and remember the route back to your home. Using the right trap and setting in proper place is a big boost. Don't release at a near distance, don't attempt to drown either.



Use deterrents

Raccoons do not jump into water bodies, they slowly slip in. In case of your pool, they walk on the steps. You might want to use deterrents to keep them off your pool.


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