Raccoons use their hands to “see” -- here's what we mean. [VID: Raccoons use their hands to “see.” Most animals hunt with the aid of sight, sound, or smell. Raccoons rely on their sense of touch to locate food. Their front paws are extremely dexterous. Their sensitive touch allows them to identify objects without seeing them, which is necessary for feeding at night. To heighten their sense of touch, raccoons use a technique called dousing. They wet their paws to stimulate the nerve endings. Like