Sometimes an animal does something so familiar it stops people in their tracks.
In a July 26 Instagram post, the Foxtails Wildlife Rehab Center shared a close-up video of an orphaned young raccoon gently mouthing one paw. In the caption, the group wrote, “You see kids who suck their thumb but have you seen a raccoon who sucks their paw? It’s for the same reason, self-soothing, and he will grow out of it although it is taking longer than most.”
The staff said there is no sign the paw is actually hurt. They added that the young raccoon is also getting around normally.
The rehab also noted that “orphaned raccoons often self soothe themselves by sucking on their paws or their siblings’ ears.”
Commenters responded warmly to the post, including one who wrote: “Aww sweet baby. I had a wee one who sucked on a foam ball.”
The behavior matters because for orphaned animals in rehabilitation, repetitive actions like sucking on a paw can be a way of self-soothing.
If you find a baby raccoon alone, even if it appears to be injured, the best response is usually to keep your distance at first, keep pets away, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local animal authority for guidance. Always avoid handling or feeding the animal unless a professional tells you to do so.
Wild animals, even when they display familiar behaviors, still need specialized care and space to heal.
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