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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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Privacy in the bathroom is a given—but one Reddit user recently discovered they weren't alone in the shower.
User rapatakaz shared a video that has quickly gained traction, titled "Call the exorcist," which has earned more than 4,500 upvotes. The clip shows a shower knob slowly being unscrewed from the wall before a tiny black, furry hand pokes through.
While the footage looks like something from a horror film, commenters say there's nothing otherworldly about the visitor—it was simply a curious raccoon.
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The eerie sight prompted plenty of jokes and speculation.
"First time I've ever seen a trash panda try to crawl through the shower," one commenter wrote, using the nickname for raccoons.
Another joked, "Such tiny raccoon hands would come in handy for plumbing or electrical work—this little one could make a fortune if it pursued its dreams."
Others were split between calling the hands "adorable" or "creepy."
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For many Americans, encounters like this are becoming increasingly common.
Raccoons thrive in nearly every environment across the 48 contiguous states, from dense cities to rural farmland, according to The Humane World, a nonprofit wildlife organization. To these clever scavengers, human spaces provide easy access to food and shelter—whether it's a trash can, vegetable garden, bird feeder or even a cozy chimney.
But when raccoons move in too close, trouble follows. They often den in attics or crawl spaces, slipping through weak spots such as gaps in trim or pliable vinyl soffits.
The Humane World advises waiting until any babies are old enough—about 10 weeks—before sealing up entry points.
To check if a den is empty, loosely block openings with newspaper for a few days; if undisturbed, it's safe to seal with sturdy wire mesh or metal flashing.
Spotting a raccoon in daylight isn't automatically dangerous either. They may simply be foraging longer hours to feed their young or moving to a new den.
However, call animal control if you notice any of the following behaviors:
- Limping
- Staggering
- High-pitched cries
- Self-mutilation
- Unprovoked aggression
All of these signs can indicate serious illnesses such as rabies, distemper, or parvovirus.
Raccoons can also carry roundworm in their droppings and spread leptospirosis through infected urine or contaminated soil. Wildlife specialists stress: avoid handling them and contact professionals for safe removal.
So while a raccoon's tiny hand reaching through your shower wall might feel like a scene from a thriller, the real story is far more down-to-earth—a clever animal simply looking for food and shelter.
Newsweek reached out to u/rapatakaz for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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