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  • Lake County Educational Article of the Month - How to identify Lake County raccoon tracks

How to identify Lake County raccoon tracks

Lake County raccoons are nature's bandits. These furry little-masked critters make their homes in hollowed tree stumps, in trees, or in dens. They are omnivores that spend a clear majority of their time hunting or scavenging for their next meal.



So, you think you might have an Illinois raccoon creeping around your property, but you've had a hard time trying to catch a glimpse of him. First, you will have a hard time seeing them if you're looking during the day. Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they spend a good portion of their time out at night and sleeping during the day.

However, there are a few other ways you can tell if you have a Lake County raccoon issue. Raccoons are one of the most adaptable creatures in the wild. They can move from forests to urban areas without a problem. They can cause incredible damage and cost homeowners hundreds—possibly thousands—of dollars in damage.

There are a few ways to see if you have an Illinois raccoon problem. Their droppings are likely the most visible signs that you have a problem. If you suspect that you might have an issue with raccoons, look around the bases of trees or woodpiles. Raccoons will typically defecate in the same area.

Another good sign is trashcans open with the garbage scattered all over the place. Lake County raccoons are smart, and your trashcans are like a flashing neon sign advertising an all you can eat buffet. The sounds you might hear while suspecting a raccoon invasions is low grunts or growls. Raccoons shuffle when they walk, so if you hear shuffling on your porch or in your attic, then you might have a little bit of a problem.

The primary way to know if you have an Illinois raccoon problem is by their tracks. These little creatures leave behind a very distinctive type of footprint. When you're trying to find proof of these little bandits, look around in the soft soil around your yard or around any fences.

Lake County raccoon footprints are like human footprints. They are just smaller, and the toes are shaped just a touch differently. On average the front feet of a raccoon can range from 1 ½ inches to 3 inches long with a width ranging from 1.3 to 2.8 inches. There are five long toes on each front hand, and they are splayed out slightly. You are likely to see the “fingers” with dots above them. The dots are from the long, sharp claws.

Their back footprints are slightly different but not by much. The hind prints are a little bit longer and a touch wider. Like the front, they still have five toes with sharp claws. Unlike the front prints, the back ones will point forward a little more.

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