The Raccoon – an Invasive Species in Lithuania
Although the raccoon is not native to our country, it has been spotted in northern and southern Lithuania in recent years, with most sightings occurring on the Curonian Spit. The raccoon is included in the list of invasive species in our country, as well as in the list of invasive alien species of concern to the European Union.
The raccoon is a small animal with gray fur and eyes highlighted by a darker "mask." Its tail is bushy, with lighter stripes. Like humans, it has five fingers. It is a good climber and swimmer and is not afraid of water. Before eating their prey, polecats often wash it in water. These animals can live in a variety of habitats. They prefer old deciduous forests near water bodies and wetlands. They do not shy away from settlements. Raccoons are very cunning and often difficult to track down.
Raccoons are omnivores: they eat nuts, fruits, grasses, seeds, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, amphibians, birds and their eggs, small mammals, and various types of waste. The species originates from South and Central America. Now raccoons are widespread in the US, southern Canada, and Central America. In Europe, they were first released into the wild in Germany in 1927. In Lithuania, the species was first registered in 2010.
Since raccoons are considered an invasive species, efforts are being made to control their population. Raccoons are most prevalent in the Curonian Spit National Park, so efforts to remove the invasive species from the wild have been carried out there.