Question about raccoons.

[gittyup]

Our house backs up to a wooded conservation area. Lately, I have been seeing a raccoon in the back yard during the day. I thought raccoons are nocturnal animals. I was told that if you see a raccoon during the day, it may have rabies? Any thoughts?

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

No only the ones that go to nightclubs and party are nocturnal

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

There are a lot of links on raccoon rabies/symptoms, and this one does specifically address your question.

<< Animals with rabies often change their behavior. Some animals may become depressed and lose their fear of humans, while others show extreme excitement and aggression. In early stages of the disease, the animal may show no signs at all. Pets may lose their appetites or become unusually aggressive, depressed or lethargic (sluggish). The animals' movements may seem awkward and stiff. Wild animals may seem friendly or become unusually aggressive. Night-roamers like raccoons and skunks may wander about in daylight. But remember some usually nocturnal animals, like raccoons, may be out in the daytime just looking for food ? especially if it is a mother raccoon who has babies still in the den or a raccoon whose natural habitat has just been destroyed. If you think an animal has rabies stay away from it. If it is a family pet, isolate it. Do not get saliva from the animal on your skin. Immediately call your veterinarian, humane society or animal control agency. The rabies virus can be found in animal saliva days before any obvious symptoms develop. However, all animals that have the virus will develop symptoms and eventually die of the disease. Some symptoms of distemper may be mistaken for rabies. Canine distemper is also a viral disease, spread by direct or indirect contact. It kills more raccoons than any other disease. It has wiped out complete raccoon populations in some areas. It is the prime cause of death of young raccoons. Canine distemper cannot be transmitted to humans. All warm-blooded animals can transmit rabies, however. >>

 

[Azraele]

Depends on what time of day you're seeing it. If it's early morning or late afternoon, I'd say you've got nothing to worry about. If you're seeing it at noon, then I'd be worried. Watch its behavior, and if you see it acting sick or odd, I'd call in animal control to take a look.

 

[gittyup]

Yo_Ma-Ma

Thanks for the link.

But remember some usually nocturnal animals, like raccoons, may be out in the daytime just looking for food ...

I am more leaning towards them being hungry because he or she runs back in the woods when they see me.

 

[Pacfanweb]

If it does have rabies, it more than likely won't live past this weekend. They don't last long with that disease.