What Does Raccoon Poop Look Like?

Raccoon droppings are often one of the first signs that these nocturnal animals are active nearby. Their feces can carry harmful parasites and bacteria, especially when found in areas frequently used as latrines.

Knowing what raccoon poop looks like and where it commonly appears helps reduce health risks and supports safer removal.

Published: March 21, 2025.

General Appearance of Raccoon Droppings

Raccoon droppings are often mistaken for those of medium-sized dogs due to their similar size and shape. Typically, raccoon feces measure about two to three inches in length and have blunt ends. The texture can appear somewhat segmented or tubular, with a slightly twisted or curved appearance.

The color of raccoon poop varies based on the animal’s diet but generally ranges from dark brown to almost black. When fresh, the droppings appear moist and dark. As they age, they may become drier and lighter in color.

One notable characteristic is the presence of visible undigested materials, such as seeds, berries, or insect parts, which are commonly found in a raccoon's omnivorous diet. These contents can help differentiate raccoon droppings from those of other animals.

Raccoon feces may also have a strong, unpleasant odor, especially when fresh or found in enclosed spaces. The combination of size, shape, content, and smell often provides a clear indication of their origin, especially in areas known to attract raccoons.

Common Locations Where Raccoon Poop Is Found

Raccoons are creatures of habit and often return to the same spots to defecate, creating what are known as raccoon latrines. These latrines are frequently found in elevated or sheltered areas where raccoons feel safe. Attics, rooftops, decks, garages, and barns are common indoor or semi-indoor locations. Outdoors, raccoons often choose areas like the bases of trees, woodpiles, flat rocks, and logs to leave their droppings.

Homeowners might also find raccoon feces along fences, on porches, or even on playground equipment. In urban settings, raccoons adapt easily and can use flat surfaces such as balconies, sheds, or backyard patios as latrines. Their habit of reusing the same site leads to noticeable accumulation over time, which increases the risk of contamination and attracts attention.

Because raccoons are nocturnal and often go unnoticed during the night, the discovery of their droppings is sometimes the first sign of their presence on a property. Regularly inspecting high-traffic areas, especially those offering shelter or easy access to food, can help detect early signs of raccoon activity.

Differences Between Raccoon Poop and Other Animal Feces

Identifying raccoon droppings correctly is important, especially when trying to determine which animal may be present on a property. While raccoon feces are often similar in size to those of medium-sized dogs, they typically contain visible signs of what the raccoon has eaten. Seeds, berries, insect parts, or even bits of fur or feathers may be noticeable within the waste, providing useful clues for identification.

In comparison, dog feces are usually more uniform in consistency and less likely to contain undigested materials unless the dog has consumed something unusual. Dog droppings also tend to lack the segmented appearance often seen in raccoon feces. Cat feces, on the other hand, are generally smaller, more compact, and are almost always buried in soil or litter. The scent of cat feces is often stronger due to the high protein content in their diet, but their waste is rarely left exposed.

Other wildlife, such as opossums, foxes, or skunks, produce droppings that may look somewhat similar but are typically smaller or less curved. Opossum feces are thin and pointy at the ends, while skunk droppings tend to be crumbly and filled with insect parts. Fox feces are often tapered and twisted, sometimes containing fur or bones.

Raccoon droppings, when found in clusters or in a repeatedly used location, are more likely to indicate a latrine site. This behavior of defecating in the same spot is less common with dogs, cats, or most other wildlife, which helps distinguish raccoon activity from that of other animals.

Why Raccoon Poop Can Be a Health Risk

Raccoon feces are more than just an unsightly mess. They can pose serious health risks to humans and pets, particularly due to a parasite known as *Baylisascaris procyonis*, or raccoon roundworm. This parasite lives in the intestines of raccoons and sheds microscopic eggs through their feces. The eggs are not visible to the naked eye, but they can remain infectious in the environment for months.

Accidental ingestion of these eggs—through contaminated hands, soil, or surfaces—can lead to a condition called baylisascariasis in humans. This infection is rare but potentially severe. In some cases, the parasite can migrate to the brain, eyes, or other organs, leading to neurological damage or even death. Children are particularly vulnerable, especially if they play in areas where raccoon feces are present.

In addition to roundworm, raccoon droppings may carry other harmful bacteria and parasites, including *Salmonella* and *Leptospira*. These pathogens can spread through direct contact with feces or contaminated water, making safe handling and proper cleanup essential.

The risk of airborne contamination also increases when raccoon feces are dry and disturbed, such as during sweeping or vacuuming. Inhaling dust from dried droppings may expose individuals to harmful organisms. For this reason, personal protective equipment, including gloves and masks, should be used when cleaning up raccoon waste, and professional removal is often recommended in more severe infestations.

Signs That Indicate the Presence of Raccoon Latrines

Raccoons often return to the same location to relieve themselves, creating what is known as a latrine. These latrines are typically found in areas that feel secure or are easily accessible from elevated positions. Common locations include the corners of attics, rooftops, decks, garages, and other sheltered surfaces. Outdoors, they may use flat logs, tree bases, large rocks, or even the tops of fences.

A raccoon latrine is usually easy to recognize due to the accumulation of droppings in one concentrated spot. Over time, the area may become layered with feces, and the surrounding surface may show signs of staining or damage. The presence of undigested materials like seeds or berries in the feces is another identifying feature.

The site often gives off a strong, unpleasant odor, especially in warmer weather or enclosed spaces. You may also find fur, tracks, or scratches nearby, which are additional signs that raccoons are regularly visiting the area. Spotting a latrine is often a clear indication that raccoons are actively using the property.

What to Do If You Find Raccoon Droppings

Finding raccoon droppings on your property should be taken seriously due to the potential health risks involved. It is important to avoid direct contact and keep children and pets away from the area. Never attempt to sweep or vacuum dried feces, as this may release airborne particles that contain parasites or bacteria.

Before beginning any cleanup, wear disposable gloves, a mask, and protective eyewear. Use a plastic bag to collect the feces and dispose of it securely. The area should then be disinfected using a cleaning solution with strong antibacterial properties. Surfaces like wood or concrete may require additional treatment to remove all traces of contamination.

If the droppings are found indoors, especially in attics or crawl spaces, extra care should be taken. These enclosed areas increase the risk of airborne exposure. In such cases, hiring a professional wildlife cleanup service is often the safest option, as they have the proper equipment and training to handle the job effectively.

It’s also important to check for entry points or food sources that may be attracting raccoons to the property. Sealing off access points and removing attractants like pet food, compost, or unsecured trash bins can help prevent future visits.

When to Call a Wildlife or Pest Control Professional

In some situations, professional help is not only recommended but necessary. If large amounts of raccoon feces are present, or if the droppings are located in difficult-to-reach areas such as attics, walls, or ventilation systems, calling a wildlife removal expert is the safest course of action.

Professionals can safely remove feces, sanitize affected areas, and inspect the property for signs of nesting or damage. They can also help locate and seal potential entry points to prevent future infestations. If there is any sign of raccoon roundworm activity or the risk of contamination appears high, professional intervention can reduce health hazards significantly.

Frequent sightings of raccoons during the day, repeated noise from attics at night, or ongoing discovery of new droppings suggest an active infestation. In these cases, early professional assistance can help limit damage to your home and reduce long-term risks.