What Sounds Do Raccoons Make?
Raccoons have a relatively large vocabulary amounting to about 51 recognized sounds, including adult raccoon purrs, snarls, chatter, squeals, whinnies, growls, hisses and screams and young raccoon twitters, coos, cries and mews. Raccoon vocalizations may resemble other animal sounds; for example, fighting raccoons may sound similar to fighting domestic cats, and their screams may resemble the call of a screech owl. Baby raccoons, known as kits, have vocalizations that are separate from typical adult raccoon vocalizations, and these sounds may become more intense based on the amount of stress the animal is experiencing.
Listening to recordings of raccoon vocalizations may assist with identifying this animal’s noises. While raccoons can be identified by their vocalizations, the fact that some of their noises resemble the calls and cries of other animals may mean that other forms of identification are necessary. In addition to their tittering and growling noises, raccoons can be identified by their tracks, which feature hand-like prints featuring five distinct clawed digits on both front and back paws. Raccoon scat is typically tubular and may contain evidence of the raccoon’s diet, including fur, seeds, berries or feathers. These agile and clever nocturnal animals are mostly peaceful but can be aggressive if they feel threatened.
