Seriously..Why would a pack of Raccoons want to kill kittens?

Question

I work at a hospital and when I left last night I saw 5 raccoons running fast together and then I came near and they scattered, I looked around and saw no food on the ground..but I saw a mother cat with little kittens playing..I think those bastards were going to do something to them maybe? But I wonder why..to hurt them or eat them?

Answer 1

I found this article that may shed some light on your question:
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According to the text Wild Mammals of North America edited by Chapman and Feldhamer, there are two general statements to be made about raccoons. First, they are omnivores, meaning they will potentially eat anything. Various studies have found in the stomachs and fecal matter of raccoons the following: fleshy fruits (9 + species), nuts (5 species), grains (5 + species), and a number of other plant species. In addition, a number of invertebrates ranging from crayfish (very important in some areas) to insects, shrimp, earthworms, snails, and slugs are also important. Among vertebrate species found are rodents (most important), muskrats, rabbits and moles. Birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish are also found in the diets of raccoons.

The other general statement is that raccoons are opportunistic, They will feed on just about anything they can find. Raccoons will scavenge dead animals of any size. Raccoons will scavenge larger animals that have died such as deer, cows and horses. In addition, in many areas,(as many of us have observed), taccoons will scavenge in garbage cans or at garbage dumps.

As to the original question, will raccoons actively seek out dogs and cats as a food source. The above mentioned book makes no reference to raccoons feeding on pets. In addition, one of the editors of the book (Feldhamer) was my graduate advisor, and so I put the question to him. He has never seen a reference to raccoons feeding on dogs and/or cats, and has never observed that type of behavior. This is not to say that they might not scavenge on dead pets, but there are no references to raccoons actually "hunting" pets. Nor is there any reference to finding remains of pets in the stomcah content of fecal matter.

So, I have found no evidence of raccoons feeding on pets, but given their nature, Raccoons most likely will scavange on pets that have already died.

Answer 2

I don't know if the racoons wanted to eat the kittens... maybe, but it's probably just a territory thing. Wild animals often kill off their competition, so there's enough food for them. It's just animals doing what animals do.

Answer 3

raccoons are wild animals, prey is prey, especially, easy prey!
it is their nature to find things to eat and feed their own young,, such is the call of the wild! It seems mean, but nature doesn't follow the rules of man.

Answer 4

Maybe the kittens were in their hideout or had someting the raccoons wanted.

Answer 5

Racoons have been known to kill cats... I don't know why, but they do -- they may see cats as a threat.. An easy meal, too -- they will eat what they kill.

Answer 6

Free and easy to catch food. Not all racoons eat out of trashcans.

Answer 7

Most wild animals are draw to the young of any animal they are easy prey.

Answer 8

coons will kill eat eat kittens. And other small animals.

Answer 9

mother cat probably owed protection money and if she couldnt pay up she would give her first born

Answer 10

looks like food....tastes like food...to them..and a lot of them have rabies too!