Sighting Raccoons in the Wild - in Miami and Fort Lauderdale

Raccoon in Key Biscayne, Miami

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, although I have encountered them during the day, as you can see from the photo, which I took in the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Miami.

Black and White Markings
Usually raccoons can be recognized by a black mask-like band of fur around their eyes and a white band above, but there is only the slightest hint of those markings on this one.

A warden at Bill Baggs Park said that it obviously had some sort of disease or nutritional deficiency. Maybe it's eaten too much junk food supplied by visitors to the park.

Places to See Raccoons in South Florida
I have seen raccoons in three places in South Florida:

• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale
• Miami Beach, Crossing a Street at Dusk

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne
This state park is the only place that I've seen raccoons during the day, on the land-facing side of the island, to the northwest of the lighthouse. I suspect that they emerge from the undergrowth in this particular spot hoping to be fed by people who fish there, so it's probably the best place for a possible sighting.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale
Raccoons usually leave their dens at dusk, and this is when I'd been told that they gather at the gates of the park, in hope of being fed. At first I thought I'd been misinformed, then I saw the glint of numerous eyes and the distinctive black and white facial markings of a group of raccoons became visible, but only just in the dimming light.

Miami Beach, Crossing a Street at Dusk
My sighting in Miami Beach was also at dusk, of a single raccoon scuttling across a street and vanishing into someone's garden, not far from Flamingo Park, in South Beach.

Raccoons “Successful Urban Animals”
A University of Florida study described raccoons as “one of our most successful urban animals,” stating that they are “frequently observed in our yards and around our homes.”

Some people consider raccoons to be pests, as they will eat virtually anything, and often forage in unsecured trash containers for scraps of food.

Removing Raccoons
Miami Animal Removal is a company which specializes in removing raccoons and other animals which have established themselves as uninvited guests, although a raccoon could well interpret being offered food as an invitation to return.

Raccoons in Gardens and Attics
They may have taken up residence in a garden or even inside a house, in an enclosed space such as an attic.

Only Humane Non-lethal Removal
The company states that it uses only “humane, non-lethal and state-approved methods” to get rid of the pesky intruders.

Don't Feed Raccoons
Feeding raccoons is something that park rangers don't encourage, mainly because it's not good for wild animals to get used to handouts, but also because they might accidentally bite you when taking the food, or because they think that you are trying to remove the food.

Woman Attacked by Raccoons
An elderly South Florida woman was hospitalized after being attacked by a group of raccoons when she tried to shoo them away from the door of her house. She was covered with blood from numerous bites and needed dozens of stitches.

The local sheriff commented that he'd been a hunter all his life but had “never heard of raccoons attacking in a mob like this.”

Danger of Disease from Raccoons
Disease is the main danger, not attack, as raccoons are carriers of a wide variety of diseases. Most of these diseases are harmless to them and to human beings, but a very small percentage of raccoons might just be carrying rabies.

If you or your pet is bitten or scratched by a racoon the wound should be washed with soap and water, and you should immediately see a doctor or take your pet to a vet.

Raccoons Are Wild animals Not Cuddly Pets
Although raccoons may look like nice cuddly creatures, they are wild animals and should be viewed from a safe distance.

Directions Using Google Transit
For directions to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne or Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale, do a Google Transit search by clicking on the link in the right-hand sidebar of this blog.

Tips on how to search can be found in the following post: Directions in Miami - Walking, Driving, Bike, Buses & Trains.