But in Stittsville, Ontario, multiple raccoons have been spotted stumbling all over the place, and it turns out it’s because they’re drunk. … Heat can often cause fruit to ferment, and the raccoons may be overindulging on it and getting tipsy.

Ottawa, Canada has a problem with drunk raccoons, though, so far, no arrests have been made. The raccoons have allegedly been munching on fermented berries, which causes impaired judgement (like walking into trees), balance issues and then extreme sleepiness as they sleep it off wherever they happen to drop.

The raccoon distemper virus is the same one that causes distemper in dogs (cat distemper is a completely different virus). Symptoms of distemper in raccoons may include discharge from the nose and eyes, a rough coat of hair, emaciated appearance, and unusual behavior such as disorientation or wandering aimlessly.

Raccoons are also attracted to ripening corn and ripening fruit. They prefer corn and fruit over all natural foods, but especially like pies, cakes, candy, and soft drinks. Raccoons may even be observed up ending half-drunk Diet Coke bottles to get their sweet fix.

1. Garden Beds. Main Attraction: Raccoons are omnivores, meaning that they eat all kinds of plants as well as animals. They’re accurately known as marauders of sweet corn patches, but they also commonly feast on melons, berries, grapes, and a variety of other garden vegetables.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed the animals are infected with canine distemper, a virus that can make raccoons act like zombies and can be deadly to pets.

The zombie description refers to the way the infected raccoons walk on their hind legs, stagger and bare their teeth. Symptoms include ocular and nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures, police said.

Raccoons with distemper may approach people, or curl up to sleep in open areas in close proximity to people. They generally act disoriented or lethargic, but can become aggressive if cornered. … Residents are not to approach or feed the raccoons.

In the wild, raccoons eat birds and other mammals, but they prefer to hunt for easier meals if they are available. Some of their favorite foods include nuts, berries, insects, and eggs. They also catch fish, shellfish, reptiles, and amphibians if their denning site is near a body of water.

Raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as hot pepper, onion, garlic, peppermint oil and Epsom salt to repel them.

Some common foods that attract raccoons include human food in garbage cans, and pet food, and bird seed in feeders. Raccoons are attracted to goldfish ponds, and chicken coops, and even birds in cages. They are also attracted to safe places to live, such as an attic of a house that is easy to get into.

Chocolate, onions, raisins and macadamia nuts are toxic to raccoons. Garlic and bread aren’t toxic, but they can upset a raccoon’s digestion. Coffee, cocoa and candies can cause health problems in raccoons.

Since raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find convenient food sources, one can take advantage of this feature by using scents they hate. Hot pepper, garlic, peppermint oil, onion, and Epsom salt are a few scents used to repel raccoons.

When it comes to the subject of raccoons eating cats, it is highly unlikely. As mentioned, raccoons do not see cats as prey. However, you cannot put it past a raccoon to attack and eat kittens. They are opportunistic predators.

The animal may seem disoriented or sleepy. Wandering aimlessly or drunkenly is common, as is fever, vomiting and diarrhea. It may also appear blind, confused and very thirsty. If you’re close enough (but hopefully not too close), you might be able to spot some mucus discharge around its eyes and nose.

Is that raccoon rabid?

• Staggering gait.
• An animal seemingly oblivious to noise or nearby movement.
• Erratic wandering.
• Discharge from eyes or mouth.
• Wet and matted hair on face.
• Repeated high-pitch vocalization.
• Self-mutilation.

If you see a raccoon out during the day, you should observe it but should not approach it. If it looks sick or lethargic, is walking erratically or falling over, or appears paralyzed, it probably has rabies. In that case, you should call your local animal control department.

Raccoon Vocal Noises Known to be extremely vocal creatures, raccoons interact by using more than 200 different sounds, which include purring, chittering, growling, snarling, hissing, whimpering, and even screeching like owls. Baby raccoon sounds include mewing, crying, and whining.

Raccoon eyes will sometimes glow green when they have a viral disease called distemper. It’s a horrible disease that has no treatment and is almost always fatal. It’s extremely contagious and is one of the reasons we quarantine our raccoons.

Distemper in raccoons is usually caused by the canine distemper virus. The distemper virus is fatal and is closely related to the human measles virus. The virus is contagious and spreads easily between raccoons and dogs, and the disease leads to progressive deterioration of mental and motor skills in canines.

Where Do Raccoons Sleep? … Most raccoons seem to prefer sleeping in large holes in trees or hollow parts of fallen logs. They also find shelter in abandoned cars, attics, crawl spaces, barns, and sheds. Raccoons change dens frequently, sometimes moving on to a new den every night.

According to Cook County officials, distemper can cause raccoons to lose their fear of humans, have tremors and/or seizures and neurological equilibrium issues. He would show his mouth now and then, Daly said, and then just kind of shake his head.

Rarely is a raccoon rabid when it is active during the daytime. While daytime behavior could be an indicator of rabies, finding a raccoon during the day isn’t sufficient evidence to qualify that raccoon as rabid. As most people are already aware, raccoons are primarily nocturnal creatures.

Natural predators are cougars, bobcats, wolves, coyotes, alligators, foxes, and great horned owls. The number of deaths caused by natural predators is insignificant compared to the number of deaths caused by man. Raccoons are very clean and use a common latrine in the wild.

Raccoons love smelly, oily meats, including a nice can of wet cat food.

They will eat anything that is not entirely toxic. To successfully bait and trap a raccoon, you must look for foods that are aromatic and easy to spot. Examples of this include meat, fish, peanut butter, and dog food. These foods are sure to attract racoons, especially the peanut butter (because of its smell).