Raccoons are often seen as nature’s little problem-solvers, sneaking through urban areas and thriving in environments that might seem inhospitable to other animals. Their ability to adapt to both wilderness and cities comes down to their “super senses.” 

Raccoon senses—sight, smell, and touch—are what drive their resourcefulness and allow them to explore, survive, and thrive. These raccoon sensory abilities help them navigate almost any situation with ease. 

How do raccoons use these senses every day to find food, avoid danger, and secure shelter?  And why are these skills part of what makes them such a challenge to manage for homeowners? Let’s take a closer look at how raccoons navigate the world around them with their remarkable sensory abilities. 

Amazing Eyesight for Night Adventures

Raccoons are nocturnal, which means they’re most active at night. Their sharp eyesight is one of the reasons they can explore rooftops, garbage bins, and even dark forests with ease. Their eyes are built for low-light conditions, making them excellent nighttime explorers.

What makes their vision special?

• Enhanced Night Vision: Raccoons have more rod cells in their eyes than humans, which gives them enhanced night vision. This allows them to see clearly in the dark, even when there’s very little light, making it easier for them to find food or avoid predators at night.
• Monochromatic View: Raccoons don’t see colours the way we do; instead, they have a monochromatic view. This means they focus on shapes and movement, which helps them quickly spot food or detect danger, even in tricky environments.
• Glare Reduction: The dark fur around their eyes works like sunglasses, reducing glare and helping them see better during the day. This natural feature allows raccoons to adapt to bright sunlight while staying alert to their surroundings.

With these special features, raccoons can confidently explore their surroundings at night. Their sharp eyesight helps them find food and avoid danger, making them excellent survivors.

A Nose That Knows Everything

Have you ever wondered how raccoons can find food inside a sealed garbage bag? It’s all thanks to their powerful sense of smell. Their noses are like super detectors, helping them sniff out food, shelter, and even danger.

Here are a few features of raccoon smell. 

• Range of Detectable Scents: Raccoons can smell a wide variety of things, from ripe fruit on a tree to food hidden deep in a garbage bin. Their noses are so sharp that they can even detect food buried under dirt, making them excellent foragers in almost any environment.
• Olfactory Adaptation: Raccoons have olfactory adaptation, which means they can tell the difference between food sources. For example, they can decide whether to go after a piece of fruit or a tasty insect nearby, helping them choose the best option for their meal.
• Navigation Aids: Raccoons use their sense of smell to navigate and find safe paths while avoiding danger. They can also sniff out familiar places, like a reliable food source or a cozy den, ensuring they always know where to go for safety and sustenance.

This incredible sense of smell helps raccoons adapt to different environments, including cities like Toronto. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we often find raccoons using their noses to rummage through urban spaces in search of a meal.

The Magic of Their Hands

What really makes raccoons stand out is their paws. Their sense of touch is so advanced, it’s almost like they have hands instead of paws. They use their touch to explore, climb, and even solve problems.

What Makes Raccoon Touch Unique?

• Sensitive Nerve Endings: Raccoon paws are packed with nerve endings, allowing them to feel textures, shapes, and even temperatures.
• Practically “Hands-On”: Each paw has five fingers, making them super dexterous. They can open jars, flip latches, and even unlock cages!
• Wet Paws Work Better: Raccoons often dip their paws in water to make them more sensitive. This helps them feel even the tiniest details.

Everyday Uses for Super Paws

• Foraging: Raccoons use their paws to flip rocks, dig through soil, and find hidden food.
• Climbing: Their sharp claws and flexible fingers let them climb trees, fences, and even walls.
• Crafting Nests: Raccoons gather materials like twigs or insulation to build cozy nests.

Their paws are like tools, helping them solve problems and adapt to their surroundings. Whether it’s opening a garbage bin or climbing onto a roof, raccoons use their paws to get what they need.

Why Their Senses Are a Problem for Homeowners

Raccoons’ super senses make them great survivors, but they can also cause problems for homeowners. Their sharp eyesight, strong sense of smell, and clever paws allow them to get into places that seem secure.

How do raccoons use their senses to enter homes?

• Climbing onto roofs by scaling trees, fences, or walls.
• Smelling food inside garbage bins or open containers.
• Feeling for weak spots in house structures, like loose shingles or damaged vents.

Once inside, raccoons can cause serious damage. They might tear up insulation, contaminate storage areas, or create a mess in your attic.

How Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Can Help 

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we understand how raccoons rely on their senses to survive—and how those same skills make them tricky guests to evict. That’s why we use humane methods, including one-way doors, to ensure that raccoons can leave your property safely. These doors allow the animals to exit but prevent them from coming back in, eliminating the hassle and worry of recurring issues. 

Our team also works to identify vulnerable areas in your home, sealing them effectively to avoid future invasions. 

Why choose Skedaddle? 

Here’s why Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is the trusted choice for raccoon removal in Toronto and across Canada: 

• Expertise You Can Trust: Our team has the expertise you can trust to handle even the cleverest raccoons. We understand how to use their own sensory strengths, like their sharp sense of smell and keen eyesight, to outsmart them and keep them out of your home. With years of experience, we know exactly what it takes to solve raccoon problems effectively.
• Effective Solutions: We provide solutions that don’t just fix the problem temporarily but address the root cause of your wildlife issue. By identifying how raccoons are getting in and what’s attracting them, we make sure the problem doesn’t happen again. This means you can enjoy long-term peace of mind knowing your home is protected.
• Humane Approach: Our humane approach ensures that all services are safe for both wildlife and homeowners. We focus on removing raccoons in a way that respects their natural behaviours while keeping your family and property safe. It’s a win-win solution that prioritizes compassion and effectiveness.

Take Back Your Space—Request Your Estimate Today! 

Raccoons are clever animals with raccoon senses that make them incredibly resourceful. Their sight, smell, and touch work together to help them not only survive but thrive in diverse environments, from dense forests to bustling city streets. 

If you’ve been dealing with raccoon problems on your property, taking action is key. Leave it to the experts at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Toronto. Our team will ensure that these nocturnal navigators leave your home for good, using humane methods that keep both your family and the wildlife safe. 

Reach out today to request an estimate and take the first step toward a raccoon-free home. Let us help you restore peace and security while offering a safe, stress-free solution. Your home deserves it!