Madison Wildlife Removal: 4 Ways Raccoons Use Their Paws

Homeowners are fortunate that many of the critters that sneak into attics, garages, and kitchens are quite limited in their mental and physical capabilities. Mice cannot open your refrigerator any more than a bat can grab hold of the lid to your garbage can. Unfortunately, there is one wild animal whose intelligence and humanlike hands enable it to pester people on an entirely different level: the raccoon. Consider a few of these ring-tailed critters' special skills and how they could impact you as a homeowner.

1. Swimming

Did you know that raccoons are strong swimmers? In fact, they can use more than one swimming style to effectively propel themselves through the water. While they are swimming, they can even catch a fish or two for dinner. This ability is most likely due to the powerfulness of raccoons' paws. Notably, these athletes can outswim your dog and even swim about half as fast as you do.

2. Finding Shelter

Raccoons can also use their paws to help them reach ideal resting places away from their predators. These masked animals can scurry up a tree with ease, helping them locate hollowed-out areas to hide. After a couple of days, they are once again on the move, searching for a new nesting spot. Unfortunately, raccoons are not limited to trees when it comes to climbing. They are also known for making their way up to homeowners' attics.

3. Defending Themselves

Though they may seem relatively harmless, raccoons do not lack vicious self-defense mechanisms. Their claws are every bit as sharp as their hands are strong, so it's important to avoid approaching these critters and to keep your pets from disturbing them. Remember that raccoons generally provide a few warnings before they attack. If a raccoon starts making hissing or growling noises, for example, put more distance between the animal and yourself. Similarly, watch out for behaviors such as back-arching, jumping, or tail-raising, as these actions also indicate aggression.

4. Identifying Objects

While raccoon paws are not technically hands, these appendages enable these animals to investigate objects using their sense of touch, just as humans do. Using its front two paws, a raccoon can move an item back and forth to get an idea of what it is. Sometimes, raccoons rub their paws together simply to appreciate the sensation. Interestingly, dipping an object in water may increase a raccoon's ability to take in all of the material's minute features.

How To Manage an Infestation

Though one can certainly appreciate the cleverness and physical prowess of raccoons, these animals can wreak a lot of havoc on your property. They can use their hands to enter your home or access the contents of your trash cans, for instance. Additionally, raccoons are dangerous when they feel threatened. If a person or a pet is scratched or bitten by one of these wild animals, contraction of rabies is possible. For all of these reasons, it's critical that homeowners experiencing an infestation reach out to professionals that handle raccoon removal. Experienced technicians can use their specialized gear and in-depth knowledge of raccoons to relocate the critters efficiently. This way, no one is at risk of being scratched and the raccoon can make its home elsewhere. When you need wildlife control in Madison, be sure to reach out to your local Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. We tackle infestations holistically, making sure to not only address the problem at hand but also prevent it from occurring again. If raccoons entered your house, our technicians can help you identify and seal the critters' potential entry points. We even help clean up any messes these nocturnal pests may have made. Give us a call today to learn more about our raccoon removal services.