Raccoon Sounds

What sound does a raccoon make?

Raccoons are surprisingly talkative, with more than 50 different sounds: chittering, churring, purring, growling, hissing, and screeching. The friendly chitter — a fast, bird-like chatter — is how raccoons greet each other and how kits call their mother.

Baby raccoons make a rolling trill or churr that sounds almost like a purring pigeon, while adults arguing over a tasty garbage can produce dramatic growls, snarls, and squeals. If you hear chattering in your attic at night — that might be a raccoon family!

About the Raccoon

Raccoons are medium-sized mammals native to North America, known for their distinctive black mask-like facial markings and ringed tails. These intelligent and adaptable animals are found in a wide range of habitats, from forests to urban areas. Raccoons are omnivores with a diverse diet and are known for their dexterous front paws, which they use to manipulate food and objects. They have excellent night vision and a keen sense of touch, often appearing to 'wash' their food in water, though this behavior is more about gathering sensory information than cleaning. Raccoons are primarily nocturnal and are excellent climbers. In urban areas, they've earned a reputation as clever raiders of garbage cans and pet food, showcasing their adaptability to human-altered environments.

Raccoon questions

What sound does a raccoon make?

Raccoons chitter, churr, purr, growl, hiss, and screech — over 50 different calls. Kits trill to their mothers with a sound like a purring bird.

Why do raccoons 'wash' their food?

Raccoons' paws become extra sensitive when wet — the dunking motion helps them feel exactly what they're holding. It looks like washing, but it's really touching.