Raccoons are usually secretive, their eyes glinting in the dark as they size up our trash cans each week. Generally not a fan of us humans, we tend not to see much of these nocturnal bandits -- which is why the pawsticuffs witnessed on Knight Street Tuesday evening was such a sight to behold.
A video of the battle was posted online and shows the lengths raccoons will go to in order to assert their dominance over the other. Amid the sounds of a dog barking, the two raccoons snarl and growl at each other with gnashing teeth and swiping claws before being broken up by a third. Usually, raccoons will not get into conflicts, instead opting to take the “just walk away” approach.
According to Critter Clean Out, raccoons are usually more inclined to respect their elders so the fights are usually between younger raccoons for dominance. Fighting is more common during mating season when males venture outside their territory and run into other males doing the same.
Not exactly monogamous, male raccoons will attempt to mate with multiple partners each season whereas the female will mate with only one male, avoiding all others afterwards. Mating occurs during the winter months but can continue until June.
The viciousness of the fight reminds us why trash pandas are not to be trifled with and their control should be left to professionals.
A dangerous undertaking
According to AAA Wildlife Control based in Vancouver, attempting to get rid of the raccoons on one's own can be a dangerous undertaking.
“Over the years we have come across customers who attempted to do-it-themselves, only to sustain serious bodily harm by falling off ladders and roofs,” a section on their website reads. “One customer, startled by an aggressive mother raccoon fell through their ceiling onto the staircase below and broke his back.”
The City of Vancouver has set guidelines and suggestions for what to do about aggressive animals including raccoons around your house.
If raccoons or other wildlife is invading a home you rent, the city suggests first calling your landlord. If that doesn’t work you should report the problem to the city. If said wildlife is invading a home you own, an accredited pest control service would be your best bet. The same advice goes for if the wildlife is just causing a raucous outside your home.
For more information on steps you can take to keep trash pandas away from the prize they seek, you can check out AAA Wildlife Controls’ website.
