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We are Columbus Wildlife, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to Ohio critter problems. We service the greater Columbus region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at 740-994-0236 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service Delaware County, Fairfield County, Licking County, Madison County, Pickaway County, Union County, and more. We also service Bexley, Canal Winchester, Dublin, Gahanna, Grandview, Brice, Harrisburg, Lockbourne, Blacklick Estates, Darbydale, Grove City, Groveport, Hillard, New Albany, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Marble Cliff, Minerva Park, Obetz, Huber Ridge, Lake Darby, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Riverlea, Urbancrest, Valleyview, Lincoln Village, and more.

Columbus Wildlife Education: Can Raccoons Open Doors or Windows

Raccoons are clever animals that can do many things. They are created with four paws that they use much as we use our hands. The raccoon’s paws don’t look like human or primate hands, but more like a ferret’s or weasel’s paws, except that there isn’t any webbing between the front “fingers.” The raccoon’s paws do not have opposable thumbs, but the “thumb” and “pinkie” come together allowing them to grasp and manipulate things with surprising dexterity. The hind paws are capable of turning 180 degrees, which allows the raccoon to climb down a tree headfirst.



Opening Objects
With these very dexterous front paws, raccoons can open, turn, undo, unfasten, and otherwise access many things. They can open simple doors and some windows. They have been known to untie knots and undo locks. They can unscrew jar lids, remove garbage can lids, open feed bins, and doggie doors. They can undo simple latches, and open unfastened screen doors by slipping a slender paw into the small space where the door might be slightly ajar. One was even known to have opened a container of lighter fluid that it proceeded to dump all over the porch it was on. Raccoons are said to be able to open anything that doesn’t require a key, or, if a toddler can open it, so can a raccoon.

Food Quest
The majority of the time, the reason for the raccoon to practice his breaking and entering skills is to search for food, although seeking shelter figures in there, too. The raccoon uses his amazing forepaws to catch his dinner in a stream, pond, lake, or river. It can catch fish, frogs, water insects, and crawfish, moving the front paws with lightning speed. A raccoon can climb a cornstalk, shuck an ear of corn, and eat it right on the spot. It can reach into a nest and pick up an egg with its front paws. One person relates a story of having left their house, and upon returning, found that one or more raccoons had somehow gotten into the house and opened and dumped a sack of flour all over the kitchen. Broken eggs and spilled milk from the refrigerator added to the mess.

Smart and Dexterous
When you have the combination of a clever animal with the paws to do the dastardly deeds, you have the ingredients necessary to make a raccoon who can outsmart even the most desperate homeowner who is trying to secure his home and property.

Previous Education Articles
An analysis of inhumane glue traps for Columbus mice
Common Snakes of Ohio
How to find a dead Columbus animal inside a house
How to get Columbus snakes out from under a shed or porch