Are There Raccoons In New Mexico? Yes, raccoons can be found in New Mexico, particularly in urban areas like Albuquerque. At gaymexico.net, we understand the importance of providing accurate information and fostering a safe environment for our community while also addressing wildlife questions with respect for all aspects of life in Mexico and the US.
1. Raccoons in New Mexico: An Overview
Raccoons, known for their masked faces and ringed tails, are adaptable mammals found in various habitats across North America. But what’s their story in New Mexico?
1.1. Where Are Raccoons Typically Found in New Mexico?
Raccoons in New Mexico are frequently observed in metropolitan areas such as Albuquerque. They are particularly drawn to environments near streams, rivers, swamps, and forests. These adaptable creatures also thrive around farms and urban locations, where they can find food and shelter.
1.2. What Habitats Do Raccoons Prefer?
Raccoons favor hardwood forests close to water sources such as streams, rivers, and ponds. They’re highly adaptable, however, and can be found near farms, urban areas, and even cities. Their ability to adjust to different environments allows them to exploit various food sources and shelter options.
1.3. Where Do Raccoons Build Their Dens?
Raccoons establish their dens in diverse locations, including tree cavities, hollow logs, rock crevices, and burrows. They also utilize human-made structures like brush piles, haystacks, chimneys, attics, crawl spaces, barns, buildings, culverts, storm sewers, and even abandoned vehicles. This versatility in den selection contributes to their successful habitation in both natural and urban settings.
Alt text: A common raccoon skillfully climbing a tree in Glacier National Park, demonstrating its agility in natural habitats.
2. Identifying Raccoons: Signs of Their Presence
Knowing the signs of raccoon presence is crucial for property owners and anyone interested in wildlife. Here are some key indicators:
2.1. Visual Sightings
One of the most straightforward signs of raccoons is directly seeing the animal. They are most active at night, so nocturnal sightings are common.
2.2. Distinct Sounds
Raccoons make a variety of sounds, including:
- Whistle-like tremolos
- Hisses
- Soft grunts
- Barks
- Growls
- A “churr-churr” noise while feeding
- Piercing screams when attacked
- Noisy chitters from young raccoons, often mistaken for birds
2.3. Raccoon Tracks
Raccoon tracks are flat-footed, similar to human footprints, but smaller. The front paw measures about 2 inches in length and width, while the hind paw is longer, ranging from 3 1/4 to 4 1/4 inches long. The hind paw is often described as a “miniature human footprint with abnormally long toes.”
2.4. Raccoon Scat
Raccoon scat is typically found at the base of trees, on logs, big rocks, woodpiles, or roofs. Examining the scat can provide clues about their diet and what might be attracting them to a particular area.
2.5. Building Damage
Raccoons can cause several types of damage to buildings:
- Black smudges on walls or downspouts
- Bent gutters
- Holes in siding or boards torn off
- Damaged soffits or louvers
- Damaged insulation
- Unpleasant odors
2.6. Crop Damage
In agricultural settings, raccoons can cause damage by:
- Partially eating corn ears with husks pulled back or broken stalks
- Creating holes in watermelons to extract the contents
3. Raccoon Diet and Behavior
Understanding the diet and behavior of raccoons can help in managing their presence and preventing conflicts.
3.1. What Do Raccoons Eat?
Raccoons are opportunistic eaters with a diverse diet that includes:
- Fruits and berries
- Acorns, nuts, and seeds from trees
- Insects, worms, frogs, fish, turtles, and mice
- Crayfish, clams, and snails
- Eggs and young of birds and reptiles
- Garden, orchard, and field crops
- Birdseed, pet food, garbage, and carrion
3.2. Are Raccoons Social Animals?
Raccoons are generally solitary animals, except for females with their young. They are nocturnal, but may be active during the day, especially in the spring and summer when females need more food to nurse their young.
3.3. Do Raccoons Hibernate?
Raccoons sleep for days at a time during the coldest weather (below 25°F). Adult females often den together with their young, particularly in preferred den sites. Raccoons may lose up to half their body weight during the winter as they live off stored fat.
3.4. Are Raccoons Territorial?
Raccoons are not territorial, but they may fight to establish dominance in common feeding areas, such as near dumpsters. An adult raccoon’s home range is typically about a mile in diameter.
4. Raccoon Breeding Habits
Understanding the breeding habits of raccoons can help predict their activity and manage potential nuisance situations.
4.1. How Do Raccoons Mate?
Raccoons have a polygamous mating style, where the female raises the young alone. If an adult male encounters the young, he may kill them.
4.2. When Do Raccoons Breed?
The breeding season for raccoons peaks from late January to February, with a gestation period of about 63 days.
4.3. When Do Raccoons Give Birth?
Raccoons typically give birth from March through May, although late-breeding females may give birth in June, July, or August.
4.4. What Is the Litter Size of Raccoons?
A raccoon litter typically consists of 3-5 young, with an average of 4. Litter sizes can range from as few as one to as many as eight.
4.5. When Are Raccoons Weaned?
Raccoons are weaned between 2-4 months of age. Young males usually leave in the fall, while young females may stay with their mother through their first winter, dispersing the following spring.
5. Common Nuisance Situations Involving Raccoons
Raccoons can become a nuisance in various situations, causing problems for homeowners and property managers.
5.1. What Time of Year Are Raccoons Most Problematic?
Raccoon-related issues can occur any time of the year. Calls from customers often peak from mid-March through mid-May when females seek den sites to raise their young. From mid-May through July, daytime sightings of “sick” or “rabid” raccoons are common (often due to increased activity of nursing mothers). In late summer and fall, raccoons may dig through lawns in search of grubs.
5.2. What Kind of Damage Do Raccoons Cause?
Raccoons can cause a variety of problems:
- Denning in attics, chimneys, sheds, and barns, leading to noise and odors
- Blocking vents with nest materials, creating a fire hazard
- Chewing on wires
- Damaging buildings to gain entry or create nesting areas
- Bending gutters due to their weight
- Entering buildings through the roof, louvers, or siding
- Tearing shingles, vents, or roofing material
- Pillaging gardens and agricultural crops
- Knocking over and chewing through garbage cans
- Getting stuck in dumpsters
- Pulling down and chewing holes in bird feeders
- Pulling up turf and lawns for worms and grubs
- Fouling yards and play areas with scat, posing a health hazard
5.3. What Diseases Do Raccoons Carry?
Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and raccoon roundworm, which can be transmitted to humans and pets.
6. Legal Status of Raccoons in New Mexico
Understanding the legal status of raccoons in New Mexico is important for anyone considering control measures.
6.1. Are Raccoons Protected in New Mexico?
Yes, raccoons are a protected furbearing species in New Mexico. They may be taken during open season, and there is no bag limit on protected furbearers.
7. Best Practices for Managing Raccoons
Effective management of raccoons involves a combination of trapping, removing food sources, protecting crops, and preventing entry into buildings.
7.1. Trapping Raccoons
Trapping can be an effective method for managing raccoon populations.
7.1.1. Live Trapping
- Set up a live trap in an area where raccoons frequent.
- Bait the trap with cat food, dog food, fruit, or whatever the raccoons have been getting into (such as garbage).
- Set the trap before evening, as raccoons are most active at dawn and dusk.
Alt text: A raccoon cautiously peers out from inside a live trap, highlighting the common method used for capturing and relocating these adaptable animals.
7.2. Removing Artificial Food Sources
Reducing food availability is crucial for discouraging raccoons from an area.
7.2.1. Managing Trash
- Persuade neighbors to stop feeding raccoons.
- Put trash out in the morning instead of the evening, if possible.
- Use raccoon-proof garbage cans with tight-fitting lids or secure cans with heavy-duty straps or bungee cords.
- Attach garbage cans to a post or keep them in a garage (closing doors at night) or a secured bin.
7.2.2. Managing Bird Feeders
- Feed birds during the fall and winter, gradually stopping by May.
- If feeding during warmer months, install a predator guard on the bird feeder pole and use sturdy poles.
- Keep the area underneath the feeder clean.
7.2.3. Managing Compost Piles
- Enclose compost piles in a framed box using hardware cloth or welded wire, in a sturdy container like a 55-gallon drum, or in a commercial composter.
7.2.4. Feeding Pets Indoors
- Feed pets indoors and remove any food left outdoors at night.
- Bring pet food bowls indoors to eliminate attractive odors.
7.3. Protecting Vulnerable Crops
Protecting gardens and crops can prevent significant damage from raccoons.
7.3.1. Electric Fences
- Establish a barrier around gardens and fields with a 2-wire electric fence, with wires placed at 5 and 10 inches above the ground (check local ordinances for legality).
- Install fences at least two weeks before crops reach an alluring stage to prevent raccoons from developing a feeding habit in the garden or field.
7.3.2. Filament Tape
- Wrap filament tape around ripening ears of corn to prevent raccoons from tearing through them. Remove the tape before eating.
7.3.3. Scare Devices
- Use scare devices like the Critter Gitter®, which combines a siren and flashing lights triggered by a motion detector.
- Ensure the device switches patterns to maintain effectiveness over time.
7.4. Preventing Entry into Buildings
Preventing raccoons from entering buildings is essential for avoiding damage and nuisance.
7.4.1. Initial Inspection
- Determine if raccoons are inside a building by plugging the entry hole with newspaper. If the paper remains intact after two days, exclusion can begin.
- In winter, thorough inspection is needed as raccoons may be napping and less active.
7.4.2. Preventive Actions
- Replace plastic vents and louvers with metal designs securely attached to the building.
- Use half-inch hardware cloth or welded wire mesh to screen holes, decks, or other vulnerable areas.
- Create an “L”-shaped “rat wall” to protect the area under a deck or porch, attaching hardware cloth to the bottom of the deck and burying the bottom 6-12 inches deep with a 12-inch shelf that sticks out.
- Cover chimney flues with commercial caps that bolt securely to the flue.
- Trim overhanging tree branches 6-8 feet away from the house to make it harder for raccoons to reach the roof (or 10 feet to deter squirrels).
- Attach a 2-foot-wide band of metal flashing around trees at chest height to prevent raccoons from climbing.
7.4.3. Removing Raccoon Families
- If young are present, remove the entire family before blocking the entrance to their den.
- Install a one-way door over the entry hole to allow the mother and young to leave but not re-enter.
- Trap and release strategies can be used to reduce the risk of orphaning wildlife.
7.5. Trap and Release Strategies
To reduce the risk of orphaning wildlife, consider the following:
- Wait until the young are mobile before removing, repelling, or excluding the family.
- Capture and remove both the female and her young, hoping she will retrieve them and continue to care for them.
- Remove the female at dusk or in the evening using a direct capture technique.
- Release them on-site at dusk or in the evening.
- Place the female and young in a release box (e.g., cardboard box, wooden nest box, or plastic box) in a quiet outdoor location.
7.6. Trapping Strategies
Various trapping strategies can be employed to manage raccoon populations.
7.6.1. Live Traps
- Use cage traps that are at least 10 × 12 × 32 inches for single-door models or longer for double-door models.
- Bait with marshmallows or sardines (be cautious of attracting cats).
- Place a board underneath the trap to protect the lawn or roof shingles.
7.6.2. Foothold Traps
- New cylindrical foothold trap designs (e.g., Little Grizz Get-rz®, EGG trap®, Duffer trap®) reduce the risk of catching the wrong species and injuring the captured raccoon.
- Traditional foothold traps (#1 or 1 1/2) baited with marshmallows or sardines can be used (use marshmallows if there is a risk of capturing cats).
- Foothold traps are not recommended for use inside a building to avoid potential damage.
7.6.3. Lethal Traps
- Body-gripping traps can be used, preferably in a restricted opening set that reduces the risk to dogs and cats (e.g., vertical cubby, deep-notch box, or a bucket with a restricted opening).
- Modify the trigger to ensure a top-to-bottom strike and prevent the raccoon from refusing to enter the trap.
7.7. Preferred Killing Methods
If lethal methods are necessary, preferred options include:
- CO2 chamber
- Lethal trap
- Shooting (using a shotgun with #6 shot or larger, or a .22 caliber rifle)
- Lethal injection of barbiturate
7.8. Acceptable Killing Methods
Acceptable but less preferred killing methods include:
- Stunning and shooting
- Stunning and CO2 chamber
- Stunning and chest compression (for raccoons weighing less than 8 pounds)
8. Additional Control Strategies
Beyond trapping and exclusion, several other strategies can help manage raccoon presence.
8.1. Structural Repairs
- Fix holes in barns, sheds, or garages to prevent raccoons from entering.
- Close doors at night.
- Trim trees and shrubs that raccoons could climb to access the roof.
- Install fencing around gardens.
- Block off access to areas under porches or decks.
8.2. Preventative Measures
- Do not feed pets outside, or secure pet food.
- Do not put garbage out the night before or secure the lid with rope or wire.
- Store garbage cans in the garage, shed, or a cage.
- Hang birdfeeders off structures that raccoons cannot climb.
9. Protecting Children at Play
Protecting children from potential hazards associated with raccoons is crucial.
9.1. Sandbox Management
- Cover children’s sandboxes to prevent raccoons from using them as latrines.
9.2. Hygiene Practices
- Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly after outdoor activity.
- Wash toys used outdoors with a mild bleach solution (10% chlorine bleach).
9.3. Avoiding Latrine Areas
- Keep children away from typical raccoon latrine areas (base of trees and wood piles).
- Prevent children from putting things in their mouths, especially potentially contaminated objects.
9.4. Altering Latrine Sites
- If there’s a known latrine site, alter the conditions to make it less attractive by removing piles of logs or debris.
10. Control Strategies That Are Not Recommended or Legal in New Mexico
Some control strategies are either ineffective or illegal in New Mexico.
10.1. Ineffective Strategies
- Motion-activated noise systems may startle raccoons but are unlikely to drive them off permanently.
- Motion-activated sprinklers may deter raccoons from certain travel routes, but they can find alternative routes if the resource is highly desirable.
10.2. Pesticide Information
For information on pesticides, refer to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture website.
11. Interesting Facts and Myths About Raccoons
Understanding the facts and dispelling myths about raccoons can help people better coexist with these animals.
11.1. Daytime Activity
A raccoon active during the day is not necessarily rabid. It may be a healthy female feeding more often due to the demands of her young.
11.2. Canine Distemper vs. Rabies
The symptoms of canine distemper in raccoons can be easily mistaken for rabies, leading to overestimation of rabies cases.
12. How gaymexico.net Can Help
At gaymexico.net, we are committed to providing resources that enhance the safety and well-being of our community while promoting an understanding of the environment. Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community planning a visit to Mexico or a resident looking for reliable information, we’re here to help.
12.1. Comprehensive Travel Guides
We offer detailed travel guides to LGBTQ+-friendly destinations in Mexico, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience.
12.2. Community Connection
Our platform helps connect you with local LGBTQ+ communities, providing support and information.
12.3. Reliable Information
We provide accurate and up-to-date information on various topics, from wildlife to legal rights, to empower and inform our users.
By understanding the presence and behavior of raccoons in New Mexico, we can take informed actions to manage their populations and protect our communities. For more information, visit gaymexico.net.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Raccoons in New Mexico
1. Are raccoons common in New Mexico?
Yes, raccoons are commonly found in New Mexico, particularly in urban areas like Albuquerque and other metropolitan regions. They adapt well to both natural and urban environments.
2. What should I do if I find a raccoon on my property?
If you find a raccoon on your property, it’s best to keep a safe distance. Remove any potential food sources, such as pet food or unsecured garbage. If the raccoon becomes a nuisance or appears sick, contact your local animal control or a wildlife removal service.
3. How can I prevent raccoons from getting into my garbage cans?
To prevent raccoons from getting into your garbage cans, use cans with tight-fitting lids or secure the lids with bungee cords or straps. You can also store your garbage cans in a garage, shed, or a secure bin to keep them out of reach.
4. Are raccoons in New Mexico dangerous?
Raccoons can be dangerous if they feel threatened or are carrying diseases like rabies. It’s important to avoid direct contact with them and to keep pets vaccinated. If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, seek medical attention immediately.
5. What are the signs of a sick raccoon?
Signs of a sick raccoon include unusual daytime activity, disorientation, staggering, aggression, and excessive drooling. If you observe these signs, contact animal control or a wildlife expert immediately.
6. Can I relocate a raccoon if I trap it?
Relocating a raccoon is generally not recommended and may be illegal in some areas. Relocating can disrupt the raccoon’s established territory and can spread diseases. Contact your local wildlife agency for guidance on legal and ethical options.
7. How do I protect my garden from raccoons?
To protect your garden from raccoons, install a two-wire electric fence with wires placed at 5 and 10 inches above the ground. You can also use scare devices or wrap filament tape around ripening ears of corn to prevent damage.
8. What should I do if a raccoon is denning in my attic?
If a raccoon is denning in your attic, contact a professional wildlife removal service. They can safely remove the raccoon family and seal off the entry point to prevent future infestations.
9. Are there any natural predators of raccoons in New Mexico?
Yes, natural predators of raccoons in New Mexico include coyotes, bobcats, owls, and eagles. These predators help to keep raccoon populations in check.
10. How can I co-exist peacefully with raccoons in my neighborhood?
To co-exist peacefully with raccoons, remove potential food sources, secure your property, and avoid direct contact with the animals. By taking these precautions, you can minimize conflicts and enjoy the wildlife in your area.
