In light of the viral drunk raccoon... are raccoons becoming more domesticated?

Mark Mitchell

Mark Mitchell

Director of Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana and Professor

I would not say they are becoming more domesticated but instead that they are becoming more habituated, which reduces their fear level. Domestication requires a line of breeding that leads to the animals taking on certain characteristics. Raccoons are truly amazing animals that are highly adaptive and will take advantage of opportunities provided them. I have seen raccoons walk a suspended tight rope to get to food that was hung in a box 8 to 10 feet off the ground in a campground. They are truly masters at getting what they want.