Raccoons are a common sight in many environments, from wild to urban landscapes. Their distinctive masked faces and agile nature often spark curiosity about their behaviors, particularly how they raise their young.
How Raccoons Transport Their Young
Mother raccoons do not carry their babies on their backs. Instead, they transport their young, known as kits, by gently grasping the scruff of their neck with their mouth. This method is an effective way for the mother to move her offspring.
When carried by the scruff, a kit often becomes limp, which helps prevent injury during transport. This carrying technique allows the mother to safely relocate her vulnerable young one by one. The mother’s strong jaw and careful grip ensure the kit remains secure during movement. This carrying behavior is important for the survival of the young during transitions.
Reasons for Transporting Young
Mother raccoons move their young for various survival reasons. Disturbance to the current den site, including human activity, pets, or construction noise, is a common motivation. A mother raccoon will also relocate her kits if she perceives a threat from predators like owls, hawks, or larger mammals.
Infestations of parasites like fleas or mites within the den can prompt a move to a cleaner location. A mother might also seek a new den if the existing one is damaged, flooded, or no longer provides adequate security. Raccoons often maintain multiple den sites, allowing options for relocation when conditions necessitate a move.
Development of Raccoon Kits
Raccoon kits undergo significant development from birth to independence. They are born blind and deaf, covered with a thin layer of fur, and weigh very little. Their eyes typically open around three to four weeks of age, followed shortly by their ears. During this early period, they remain entirely within the den, relying solely on their mother for warmth and nourishment.
Around four to six weeks, kits begin to stand and become more mobile, exploring their immediate surroundings. They begin venturing outside the den under their mother’s watchful eye at approximately two months old. Weaning from their mother’s milk usually occurs between 10 to 16 weeks of age, at which point they start to forage for solid foods with her guidance. Young raccoons often stay with their mother, learning survival skills, until they are around six to twelve months old, sometimes remaining through their first winter.