Yes, Raccoons climb trees and they are actually very good at it. Their fingers are extremely useful when climbing up and down trees.
Over the years, the raccoon has earned a series of wild nicknames from furry bandit to trash panda. It has had a chance to star on the big screen more than once. Apart from its infamous reputation, there is still much we don’t know about this woodland creature.
Did you know that raccoons are nocturnal animals that only come out during the day when they are running low on food? Or that they often climb trees in order to hide from nearby predators? Do raccoons climb trees? Yes, they do. They are highly smart and dexterous creatures. If you ever see one climbing up a tree, there is probably a very good reason behind it.
Are Raccoons a Natural Climber
The padded claws offer raccoons the extra grip necessary to climb up and down a tree. Their five fingers are also extremely useful tools that help them grab onto small cracks on the trunk to help them continue with their climb. Their long digits also help them cover a larger surface and keep their body balanced as they climb up the tree. They tend to want to climb as high as possible, so they can find the best branches with all the sweet berries that are just there, waiting to be picked and eaten.
Though raccoons have no opposable thumbs, they do have their five fingers on each paw to help them grab and hold all the berries in sight. Their claws are always visible and non-retractable, so as to help them stick their paws on the trunk and keep on reaching for the treetop.
Raccoon’s paws are in fact able to make a full 180 degrees rotation, which is precisely what allows them to climb back down headfirst. Baby raccoons don’t really start exploring until their second month or so, but when they do, expect them to see them climbing everything, from brick walls to old tree trunks. They’re used to finding shelter and food in the wild, so climbing up a fence cannot provide them with much of a challenge.
Why do Raccoons Climb Trees
Raccoons cannot jump, so they often use tree trunks as a vertical bridge, a means to reach a high rooftop or a neighboring tree branch. Raccoon is also known to steal eggs from bird nests on top of the trees. They might also use the extra foliage to hide from nearby predators. Raccoons tend to use trees as a safe haven against wolves or other predators that cannot climb. hollow trees, especially, provide them with a home for themselves and they’re young.
It is important to check the hollow tree before you ever decide to cut it down, as you might already have unexpected guests living there. Some of them might even be fast asleep.
A raccoon’s den
Raccoons prefer to live in small, dark and enclosed spaces where they can look after their young and safely hide away from predators. They sometimes also choose to make their home in burrows and rock crevices. You might even find some of them living in your own backyard.
Trees provide a safe place for raccoons, as they build a nest high off the ground and away from sniffing predators. It is also a good starting point for baby raccoons to start practicing tree climbing and start using their strong claws to get around.
Raccoons often prefer pine trees for their height and large trunks which can provide them with cozy tree hollows. To stop a raccoon from climbing up your pine tree, you might find it useful to cut off some of the branches to keep them from doing so.
How to stop raccoons from climbing trees
Raccoons first need to access the base of the tree in order to climb it. Wrapping various materials around the trunk is but one of the ways to stop raccoons from climbing up the tree in your backyard.
You could also find a tree conical guard online. Raccoons normally climb up trees because it is a convenient hiding spot, not to mention the foliage can also provide them shelter from the occasional bad weather. Raccoons are known for being masters at making the most of their environment.
