Finally, raccoon adaptability extends to their diet and survival strategies. They’re true omnivores, eating everything from fruits and insects to small animals, fish, and human leftovers. Their opportunistic feeding helps them thrive near humans, but it also makes them important players in natural ecosystems, where they disperse seeds and help control insect populations. Raccoons are also capable of climbing nearly any tree, swimming proficiently, and surviving harsh winters by dramatically reducing activity levels. Their resilience, intelligence, and quirky behaviors have made them icons in both wildlife biology and popular culture—creatures that evoke curiosity, amusement, and sometimes exasperation, but always fascination.