Quick Take
- The raccoon makes the first move, and who's doing the chasing by the end of this clip will surprise you. Watch the surprise chase →
- Raccoons will happily steal birds from their nests, so there is no obvious reason why a full-grown turkey would be a completely different story. See what raccoons hunt →
- Wild turkeys have a surprisingly specific taste in trees, and this preference shapes exactly where they set up territory. Explore turkey habitat →
- Raccoons thrive almost everywhere, yet there is one key trait that makes them unlike most North American mammals. See raccoon range →
In this very short clip, we see a brief encounter between a raccoon and a wild turkey on a streambed. At first, the turkey moves toward the raccoon, and the raccoon responds and chases after the bird who begins to run away. As soon as the raccoon drops its guard, the bird makes a comeback! The last we see of these two is the turkey chasing the raccoon upstream. As the clip at the bottom of this page shows, these two are not happy with each other’s company!
Where Do Raccoons Normally Live?
Raccoons are medium-sized mammals and are among the most common mammals in North America. Most people in the US will be familiar with the common or northern raccoon. However, there are two further species called the South American raccoon and the Cozumel raccoon. There are also more than 20 recognized subspecies.
They occupy a large geographic range that stretches from southern Canada to the northern part of South America. They are extremely resourceful creatures who can survive in a wide range of habitats. You’re most likely to see them in woodland and grassland habitats, but they are also often spotted in suburban and even urban areas. Some people are enchanted by raccoons, whereas others find them a nuisance.
Wild turkeys are a native ground birds of North America.
©Jim Cumming/Shutterstock.com
Where Do Turkeys Normally Live?
This is not the domestic fowl that we are used to eating at Thanksgiving. The turkey in this clip is an Eastern turkey which is also called the wild turkey. They are a ground-dwelling bird and a native species of North America. You will find them in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. In the US, they occupy the entire eastern half of the country which stretches from Maine to Northern Florida. They can be found as far west as Minnesota, Illinois, and Missouri.
In terms of habitat, they like to live in hardwood forests that contain some scattered openings. They have a preference for certain trees! They like oak-hickory and cherry, to name just two!
Which Animals Do Raccoons Normally Hunt?
When foraging, raccoons are opportunists! Their diet consists of a wide variety of foods, including fruits, berries, nuts, corn, and grains. They will also readily eat fish, frogs, insects, eggs, and small mammals that they come across. They have been seen snatching small birds from nests but a turkey of this size would probably be too much of a challenge!
