Raccoons are unique creatures that can be found just about anywhere. They have spread from mostly forest habitats to mountainous, coastal, and urban areas. They are known for their dexterous front paws, ringed tails, and dark mask around their eyes.

The mask is thought to help them identify each other's facial expressions and is one of the main factors contributing to their reputation for being sneaky. These features were themes in mythologies of Native Americans, such as the Lenape and Iroquois, where the raccoon is considered a trickster, engaging in lighthearted mischief. Their mask also helps reduce nighttime glare.

The word "raccoon" even comes from the Algonquian Indian word "arakun," which means "he scratches with his hands." They also represented dexterity and survival due to their scavenging nature. Sometime in the 1700s, however, the name became "raccoon". Once thought to be solitary creatures, it has since been discovered that raccoons live in gender-specific groupings, with related females living together and males in groups of up to four to maintain their status come mating season.

They are nocturnal creatures, coming out to feed at night and aided by excellent night vision. Their handlike front paws have long, nimble fingers that are used to skim the bottoms of streams for food, climb, and open containers and garbage cans. They are highly intelligent creatures, shown to remember solutions to problems after three years, and have been known to find their way into homes looking for food and shelter. They are also strong climbers and swimmers, allowing them to find food in trees and riverbeds. Their acute sense of hearing protects them from predators and aids in avoiding people.

Because raccoons eat just about anything, they search for it everywhere. They tend to leave large messes in their searches, which can lead to unsanitary clean-ups. Their nimble fingers can open doors and windows or break into food storage containers. Even worse, they may carry many diseases, from viruses to bacteria and parasites. The diseases are spread in numerous ways, including contaminating the food they get into with their urine. Their feces can spread rabies, raccoon parvoviral enteritis, canine distemper, pseudorabies, and infectious canine hepatitis.

If a raccoon makes its way into your house, attic, basement, or shed, it can be very destructive and cause a lot of damage quickly. They have a short gestational period, just over two months, so if their presence isn't taken care of quickly, the problem can get out of control before you realize it's there.

When you move into a new place, you see it as a peaceful place to live. Unfortunately for you, several critters agree with you and want to be permanent roommates. Luckily for residents of Northern California and the surrounding areas, Gold Coast Wildlife Control is ready to remove your unwanted intruders. With no squirrel too small and no raccoon too big, contact Gold Coast today for help with your nuisance wildlife.