Comparing a Cat and a Raccoon
What Are Key Differences Between a Cat and a Raccoon?
The key differences between a cat and a raccoon are their size, senses, and predatory behaviors. Raccoons are bigger than cats. Most house cats only weigh between 7lbs and 10lbs, grow 10 inches tall, and measure 30 inches in length. However, raccoons can weigh upwards of 20lbs, stand 12 inches tall, and grow 40 inches in total length. Also, cats are hunters that have excellent hearing, sight, and smell, but raccoons only have very good senses of smell and hearing. Their sense of sight is good at night, but it’s only useful over short distances and when they don’t need to discern colors. Cats are ambush predators that strike out at their foes and try to end their fights with a single blow. However, raccoons are opportunistic predators that find prey in their habitats and kill them. Not only are these differences important in differentiating between the two animals, but it’s crucial to understanding how a fight between them would occur.
What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between a Cat and a Raccoon?
The key factors in a fight between a cat and raccoon are a mixture of physical traits and their ability to fight. That’s why we’re going to consider several important physical elements along with how these creatures defend themselves. By the time we’re done, we’ll have all the information needed to determine which animal is going to win a fight.
Cat vs Raccoon: Size
Raccoons are larger than cats in most cases. Size is a very important factor in any fight between animals, and raccoons are quite large. Raccoons can weigh up to 20lbs, stand one foot tall, and grow over three feet long. Cats weigh about 10lbs, grow 10 inches high, and measure 30 inches long including their tails. Now, some cats, like the Maine coon, are larger breeds than average. The largest Maine coon measured about 4 feet long, but over a quarter of that was just its tail. They are more of a match for raccoons in terms of weight, too. Still, the average cat is smaller than a raccoon by a large margin. Raccoons have the size advantage.
Cat vs Raccoon: Speed and Movement
Cats are much faster than raccoons. The average house cat can run at speeds of 30 mph over short distances, but raccoons only run at 15 mph. This difference in speed would allow the cat to catch the raccoon and overwhelm it with speed. Cats have the speed advantage.
Cat vs Raccoon: Senses
Cats have very potent senses including vision, smell, and hearing. They are especially good at seeing at night and smelling objects in their environment. Raccoons are highly intelligent, have powerful hearing, and smell very well. Unfortunately, they are basically color-blind and cannot see well over long distances. Cats have a sensory advantage over raccoons.
Cat vs Raccoon: Physical Defenses
Cats are capable of using their speed and agility to escape from most fights that they won’t win. They also have great senses, so it’s hard for something on the ground to get the drop on them. Raccoons are not as swift, but they can climb trees and use their bluff attacks as defenses to ward off foes. Cats have better physical defenses than raccoons.
Cat vs Raccoon: Combat Skills
Cats are ambush predators, so they stalk prey and wait for the opportune moment before they strike. Yet, raccoons are merely opportunistic predators, so they find food in their living areas and go after it. Cats prefer to kill with a single bite to the back of an animal’s head, but raccoons maul their foes by clawing and biting vital areas. Raccoons have superior combat skills in a fight that doesn’t start with an ambush.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Cat and a Raccoon?
A raccoon would win a fight against a cat. Raccoons are bigger than most cats, and it’s nearly impossible for the smaller animal to launch an attack that would kill the raccoon immediately. As such, the fight would break down into a desperate scramble, and the raccoon would win in that scenario. Raccoons are better equipped to take and deal out damage. They use their claws to attack their prey’s eyes while biting deep into their prey’s body, puncturing organs and causing serious damage. All in all, it doesn’t seem possible that any cat would be able to mount a defense against such terrible odds.
