Is a raccoon active in daytime sick?

Raccoons usually become active in the late afternoon and throughout the night, but may change this pattern according to food availability.

May I feed a raccoon?

Do not feed a raccoon. Human food is not healthy for wild animals and is not part of their natural diet.

Raccoons

Understand raccoons near the beach

Raccoons stand 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder and weigh 6 to 12 pounds. They have a black mask and ringed tail. They eat crayfish, clams, frogs, acorns, and berries, and they scavenge garbage. Raccoons usually become active in the late afternoon and throughout the night, but food availability may change this pattern.

Sources checked 2026-08-24: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources raccoon species guide (opens in a new tab) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission raccoon profile (opens in a new tab) and South Carolina Department of Public Health rabies guide (opens in a new tab) and National Park Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab) .

Four choices

Give a raccoon space

Raccoons are wild animals, not tame pets. Give one room because a threatened wild animal could bite or attack.

Never feed a raccoon

Human food is not part of a wild animal's diet.

Secure food and trash

Secure trash and keep pet food indoors.

Respond to a bite or scratch

If a wild animal bites or scratches you, care for the wound and contact a healthcare provider.

What this page covers

This record makes no Surfside Beach sighting claim, local frequency claim, local rabies case claim, case count, season claim, or den claim.

It gives no health diagnosis, removal promise, hunting instruction, trapping instruction, legal penalty, or phone number.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources raccoon species guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission raccoon profile (opens in a new tab) · Source: South Carolina Department of Public Health rabies guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: National Park Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab)

Raccoon questions

Is a raccoon near the beach dangerous?: Raccoons are wild animals, not tame pets. Give one room because a threatened wild animal could bite or attack.; Source: National Park Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab)
Is a raccoon active in daytime sick?: Raccoons usually become active in the late afternoon and throughout the night, but may change this pattern according to food availability.; Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission raccoon profile (opens in a new tab)
May I feed a raccoon?: Do not feed a raccoon. Human food is not healthy for wild animals and is not part of their natural diet.; Sources: National Park Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab)
What should I do after a raccoon bite or scratch?: Care for the wound and contact a healthcare provider.; Source: South Carolina Department of Public Health rabies guide (opens in a new tab)