Is it normal for a racoon to be walking around during the day with people present?

Answer 1

Oftentimes, when raccoons are out and about during the day, they can have rabbies, but not necessarily. The raccoon could be hungry... it could be hot.. it could be a female moving her kits (babies).
Best thing to do is contact your local humane society or animal control. Don't go near the raccoon just in case it does have rabbies but don't shoot it just because some redneck tells you to. Check it out first. You can also do a search on google.com or another site for 'rabbies' and that will give you some info on the signs of rabbies. Usually, they'll kind of wonder rather than walk in a straight line. They also won't care if you are around.. they might growl but usually they don't pay alot of attention.. but, you should still stay away from them and keep pets indoors.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, raccoons don't read the same (incorrect) information we do - nor do they listen to wives' tales. This is why they don't know they're not supposed to be out during the daylight. Sorry, but these are wild creatures & they'll pretty much do exactly what they please. Including diurnal walks. Do you ever walk around your nieghborhood after the sun sets? Waitaminute ----- aren't you diurnal? What are you doing walking/driving/sitting in front of your TV at night?!!? ;-)

Seeing them in the daytime DOES NOT MEAN THEY HAVE RABIES!!!! Most likely this is a nursing mother & she's ravenous. It's baby season in many parts of the country. She's simply looking to replenish her energy store before the kits awaken & want to eat again. Exhausting work being a coonie mom!

Can they have rabies? Of course -- so can feral cats, bats, and those cute little river otters everyone wants to play with (talk about a vicious animal...). But don't try to play with her, OK?

We have soooo much habitat encroachment, that their homes are changing at a frightning speed. In one breeding season, a mom may go from woods to a housing tract. Remember, these animals (all wilds) are programmed by nature. How do you suppose she adapts to that? If she's strolling beneath your bird feeders (Hey look! Sunflower seeds!!) & finds something yummy to eat (that will also sustain her young), she'll certainly return. It will simply become a stop on her feeding route. No harm, no foul.

Wilds are not out to eat our pets -- they have NO agenda beyond escaping predation, feeding & propagating. That's it. Period.

How blessed you are to see something wild in your living space. Leave it alone, watch & enjoy. Don't feed it. Don't approach it. And for Heaven's sake, don't harrass it. This is a protected animal. If you're very lucky, you may get to see babies soon. And there are few things more adorable in this world than a baby coonie.

Enjoy your view!!

Answer 3

I have had them for pets in the past and I live in the country and see them running around in the day time as well. The thing to remember about raccoons is whether they have had a owner or not they can be aggressive at times. For the most part, once they are an adult and someone has had them for a pet, the raccoon does not normally take up with another owner and will act very wild.Don't try to approach it at all. It is not necessarily sick. They can have rabies, yes, but it could be very healthy too, it could have just gotten loose from its owner.Call animal control and they will take care of it.And another thing, please don't shoot the cute thing, he is a bandit. I wish I had a baby one now to raise up, they are fun once you start them off as a baby.

Answer 4

It may have been someones pet or has been fed by people most of it's life.

I had a large female just walk right into my apartment and make herself at home for a few days.

I'm sure she had been a pet. Have a picture of my mom holding her.

Ms. Piggy was the name I gave her and she was about 60 lbs.

Answer 5

Well, they are out in the day, but unless it's in a very urban area where it would be used to people, I'd be a little worried if it walked right up to you without fear. Better safe than sorry. And if you have pets, make sure they have their shots.

Answer 6

Once in awhile I catch a glimpse of one in the daytime (in Florida), but it's unusual.
Sometimes people feed them and they get rather tame. Don't mistake them for a pet.
Racoons can have rabies and if they are sick with that, they aren't afraid of humans. Be very careful.

Answer 7

Typically they are nocturnal.But occasionally they will come out during the day,that doesn't mean anything is wrong with it.But I would avoid it anyway.Whether day or night raccoons can be dangerous,like any wild animal can be.

Answer 8

No, it's not. They are typically nocternal animals. It may have been chased out of its home or maybe its sick. In either case stay away from it and/or call animal control.

Answer 9

No, it might have rabies. Shoot it! Racoons are vicious.

Answer 10

if this coon was raised around people then yes