Raccoons come in many different shapes and sizes from a baby that can fit in your palm to a male raccoon twice the size of your dog. A raccoon can gain an enormous amount of weight and can range generally from five pounds up to thirty-five pounds and some very well-fed raccoons can even get up to sixty pounds. They have powerful acid in their stomach that allows them to eat food like long-dead animal carcasses and rotting meat. They seem to be able to east just about anything. The females tend to be 30% smaller than the males but can still be quite large. Large raccoons on your property can be scary but there are things you can do. If you see a raccoon on your property then don’t go outside. Native animals like raccoons are protected species by the ministry of the environment. You can get a very big fine for trying to harm a raccoon that is not rabid, is not defecating on your property and is not trying to break into your home. Raccoons are heavy enough that they can rip off roof vents and soffits and can break through plywood with their teeth and claws. The larger they are the easier they can get in. A very large raccoon in the attic will sound very loud, while all raccoons sound like a little person walking around a big one will sound like a giant stomping.
If you have a raccoon on your property there are some basic things you can do to prevent them from coming back. If you leave your garbage out and open then you need to buy a locking container and seal it off. Storing it inside of a shed or garage is also an option. If you have fruit trees or a vegetable garden then wild animals and rodents have an open invitation to come and live at your home, or as they see it, a hotel. Complete with room service and linen changes. The goal of getting animals off your property means removing anything they want or need from your property. Nut trees? You will likely get a squirrel in your wall or attic. Bird feeder, that brings mice and rats. Birdbath? Enjoy skunks in mating season and open garbage. Enjoy remediating your attic when you finally get it and its babies out.