A startled raccoon was caught on camera rooted to the spot on its hind legs after being spotted sneaking through a backyard at night.

The footage was recorded by a homeowner in what appears to be an American suburb.

In the video, the camera is pointed out of a window where a security light is illuminating the backyard.

Two raccoons then tentatively appear from the right-hand side of the screen as they scurry on all fours along the path.

The person behind the camera taps on the glass to catch their attention which startles them.

Both of the curious animals freeze and turn to look up at the source of the noise.

The footage was recorded by a homeowner in an American suburb as two raccoons tentatively scurry on all fours along the path outside

The person behind the camera taps on the glass to catch their attention which startles them as both of the curious animals freeze and turn to look up at the source of the noise

The camera zooms in on one of the spooked creatures before panning around to the other which is now standing on its hind legs.

It appears to be rooted to the spot as it stands like a human with its arms spread out to the side.

It remains completely frozen until briefly glancing over to its counterpart and dropping back down to the floor.

It remains completely frozen until briefly glancing over to its counterpart before the pair then continue to scamper away, which is where the video ends

A raccoon's natural response to confrontation is to freeze and stare at the threat. It is thought that they do this to assess what their opponent's next move will be

The pair then continue to scamper away, which is where the video ends.

A raccoon's natural response to confrontation is to freeze and stare at the threat.

It is thought that they do this to assess what their opponent's next move will be.

They will often then raise themselves up to stand on their back legs, which are longer than their front limbs, in an attempt to make themselves as intimidating as possible

They will often then raise themselves up to stand on their back legs, which are longer than their front limbs, in an attempt to make themselves as intimidating as possible.

Sometimes they will also 'bluff' by huffing, grunting and charging to scare off any potential predators.

Those faced with particularly bold raccoons are encouraged to clap their hands and step towards it as this should be enough to ward them off.