Do Raccoons Wash Their Food?

Raccoons are known to dip their food in and out of water when they eat near a water source. This behavior has earned them the scientific name Procyon lotor (lotor translates to “washer”) and the reputation of being a hygienic animal. However, raccoons don’t actually wash their food before eating. Their manipulation of the food with their front paws may look like washing to remove dirt, but it is more about experiencing the food than cleaning it.

Wetting food helps raccoons better perceive its characteristics. Dunking the food in water increases the responsiveness of the sensory nerves in the hairless parts of the animal’s front paws. This helps the raccoon get more accurate and detailed information about the object it is holding, for instance its texture, weight, size, and temperature. Ultimately, this behavior helps the animal ensure that the food is edible and safe for consumption. As a useful byproduct of this behavior, the food gets cleaned in the process.