09/05/2026
RELEASE DAY: This evening/morning we are releasing the seven raccoons from Hearts of the Wild Wildlife Rehab.
Raccoons are most active during the very early morning hours so this is the time of day for choice releasing. [It is also why my alarm clock is set for 12:00 midnight everyday, 365 days/year.]
Raccoons can see incredibly well in the dark, and they are remarkably well-adapted for nocturnal life. Their vision, combined with other heightened senses, makes them exceptional hunters and scavengers in low-light conditions.
Raccoons have a reflective tissue layer behind their retina called the tapetum lucidum. This layer acts like a mirror to bounce light back through the retina, which magnifies available light in dim conditions.
The famous black fur around their eyes absorbs incoming glare and reduces bright reflections. This helps them see sharp contrasts in the dark.
When a flashlight or car headlight hits a raccoon's eyes at night, the tapetum lucidum causes their eyes to reflect a bright or reddish glow.
While their night vision is strong, a raccoon's sense of touch acts like a second set of eyes. Their front paws have thousands of sensory receptors that let them feel and identify objects in total darkness.
Raccoons do not see very well at long distances, relying instead on their close-up vision, touch, and sharp hearing.
Raccoons have some of the most dexterous hands in nature, which they rely on to locate goodies.
Though they are primarily nocturnal, raccoons can be active during the day. 🦝
