Raccoons are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning their active period is typically during the night. Observing them in daylight hours is not considered the norm and may indicate several underlying factors influencing their behavior.
A raccoon’s presence during daylight can be attributed to various reasons. These reasons range from simple hunger, especially in the spring when they’ve just come out of winter, to more concerning causes like illness, specifically rabies, or being displaced from their usual habitat. The benefits of understanding this behavior include recognizing potential health risks to humans and pets and implementing preventative measures to mitigate negative interactions. Historically, increased daytime sightings can reflect habitat encroachment or changes in food availability.
