what do raccoons eat
Raccoons are omnivores , so they eat both plant and animal foods. Their diet often includes fruits, berries, nuts, corn, grains, insects, worms, frogs, fish, crayfish, bird eggs, small rodents, and sometimes carrion or garbage.
Quick Scoop
Raccoons are opportunistic eaters, which means they usually eat whatever is available and easy to find. In the wild, they commonly forage for insects, fruits, nuts, and small animals, especially near water.
They also adapt well to human areas, where they may eat pet food, birdseed, trash, compost, and leftovers from outdoor bins. That flexibility is a big reason raccoons do so well in cities and suburbs.
Common Foods
| Food type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Plant foods | Fruits, berries, nuts, corn, grains, vegetables |
| Animal foods | Insects, worms, frogs, fish, crayfish, snails, mice, bird eggs |
| Human-related foods | Garbage, pet food, birdseed, compost, food scraps |
Simple takeaway
A raccoon’s diet changes by season and location, but the easiest way to think of it is: they eat a little bit of almost everything.
