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How to Determine the Sex of Raccoons

Prevalent in many rural and urban areas, raccoons are interesting animals that have distinctive black eye masks and tail rings. Often seen as nuisances, raccoons nest in areas of the home, such as attics, and scavenge for food in garbage cans. Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and canine distemper, which can be fatal to the family dog. If you encounter a baby raccoon, or catch one in a trap, determining the sex is relatively simple but requires taking appropriate safety measures.

Things You'll Need

Protective gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Put on a pair of thick protective gloves. These will help you avoid being injured if the raccoon scratches or bites.
- 2
  Lift the raccoon up so that it's head is directed away from you. Alternatively, lay the raccoon down on a table with the head pointing away and the belly pointing up.
- 3
  Enlist help from another person, if necessary, to restrain the raccoon firmly and gently.
- 4
  Lift the raccoon's tail. Directly underneath it is the anus. Examine the area directly beneath the anus. If the raccoon is female, there will be a bump in that area, which is the vulva.
- 5
  Examine the raccoon's stomach. If there is a bump on the lower half of the stomach, and none directly underneath the anus, the raccoon is male. This is the penis.

Animals & Science