Raccoons are a common sight, known for their masked faces and ringed tails. These adaptable mammals often live near humans. Understanding the development of young raccoons, particularly at four months, helps people know how to react if they encounter them. This article explores their typical size, developmental milestones, and appropriate actions.
Typical Size and Weight
A newborn raccoon, called a kit, typically weighs 60 to 142 grams (2 to 5 ounces) and measures 4 to 6 inches long, excluding the tail. By four months, a kit’s size and weight have increased significantly, though variations occur based on diet and gender. They are no longer tiny and helpless.
A four-month-old raccoon is past the initial rapid growth phase but still smaller than an adult. Adult raccoons typically weigh 10 to 23 pounds and range from 23 to 38 inches in length, including their tail. Some adult males can reach up to 35 pounds and be about 3 feet long. A four-month-old raccoon would be considerably larger than younger stages, actively gaining weight towards their adult size.
Key Developmental Stages
At four months of age, raccoon kits are in a transitional period, developing greater independence while still connected to their mother. They are typically fully weaned from their mother’s milk by this time, having begun to eat solid foods around 8 to 9 weeks of age. Their diet at this stage would primarily consist of solid foods, including a variety of natural items like fruits, nuts, insects, and small vertebrates.
Young raccoons at this age are actively learning and refining their foraging skills. They start to explore their surroundings more extensively and are often seen traveling with their mother, who continues to teach them essential survival behaviors. Their physical capabilities are well-developed, allowing them to walk, run, and climb effectively. They possess highly dexterous front paws, which they use to manipulate objects and find food.
What to Do If You See a Young Raccoon
Encountering a young raccoon alone does not automatically mean it is orphaned or in distress. Mother raccoons often leave their kits temporarily while foraging for food, especially during the day. It is important to observe the raccoon from a distance before intervening. If the kit appears healthy, active, and is not visibly injured or in an unsafe location, the best course of action is to leave it undisturbed and allow the mother a chance to return.
Contacting a local wildlife rehabilitation center or animal control is appropriate if the young raccoon shows clear signs of distress. These signs include visible injuries, lethargy, constant crying, or a scrawny appearance. If the raccoon is cold to the touch, has sunken eyes, or its skin “tents” when gently pinched, it may be dehydrated and require immediate attention.
It is important to avoid direct contact with any wild animal, especially raccoons, as they can carry diseases like rabies and distemper. Wildlife professionals have the expertise and resources to safely assess and care for distressed animals.