Some homeowners dealing with raccoons on their property might try to remove them with the use of live cage traps. Cage traps are readily available from online retailers and hardware stores and are relatively simple to set up. However, there are many cases when raccoons avoid cage trap and the bait entirely & deliberately. Why are some raccoons “trap shy” and what are some possible explanations for this behavior?
The term “trap shy” refers to any animal that avoids traps. Critters can be trap shy for a handful of reasons. Raccoons are typically trap shy due to past experiences being trapped and released & neophobia.
Neophobia originates from the greek words neos and phobein translating to new and fear respectively. Some critters express their fear of new things by avoiding anything new in their environment. Raccoons expressing neophobia towards cage traps that suddenly appear on their path of travel are savvy to the possibility that the trap might mean danger.
In some cases curiosity replaces fear and the raccoons will enter a once avoided trap. In other cases neophobia outshines curiosity rendering the cage trap ineffective. Another common reason raccoons avoid cage traps involves a prior experience with traps.
Many DIYer’s who have captured and released a raccoon with the use of a live cage trap are unaware of the raccoons intelligence. Not to give raccoons too much credit but they are fast learners with good memories. Raccoons that have been trapped learn to avoid traps moving forward. It does not matter how appetizing the bait or lure, previously trapped raccoons almost never commit to entering a cage trap again. Thankfully, there are other means available to remove trap shy raccoons.
Cage traps are one of many tools available to humanly remove nuisance raccoons. Raccoons are generally trap shy if they’ve been caught and released or if they’re expressing neophobia. Contacting a professional wildlife company to suggest or implement other means of removal will provide options for trap shy raccoons.
For more information connect with the professionals at Critter Evictors Arizona!