Raccoons are adaptable mammals often found in various environments, including residential areas. They raise their young, called kits, in secluded spots. Understanding their developmental stages helps in knowing how to respond if a baby raccoon is found.
The Timing of Eye Opening
Baby raccoons are born with their eyes and ears closed. This initial blindness and deafness protects their undeveloped sensory organs. Their eyes begin to open between 19 and 24 days of age, or roughly three to four weeks after birth. When their eyes first open, their vision is often blurry and may appear cloudy blue. Over the following weeks, their eyesight rapidly improves, allowing them to visually process their surroundings.
Key Developmental Milestones
Several other milestones mark a baby raccoon’s journey toward independence. Around three weeks of age, their ears also begin to open, and they develop their sense of hearing. By four to six weeks old, kits start to attempt walking, though they are initially unstable. Their mobility significantly improves between five and six weeks. By six to eight weeks, they begin to venture outside the den under their mother’s supervision, exploring their immediate environment.
Around seven to eight weeks of age, baby raccoons begin consuming solid foods. Weaning occurs, with kits transitioning to solid foods and fully weaning between ten to twelve weeks. While they gain independence in foraging, young raccoons often remain with their mother for an extended period, sometimes up to a year, learning crucial survival skills. They may stay with her through their first winter before dispersing the following spring.
What to Do If You Find a Baby Raccoon
Encountering a baby raccoon can be a concern, but often the best course of action is to observe from a distance. Mother raccoons frequently leave their young alone while searching for food or relocating the litter, moving one kit at a time. Monitor the kit for several hours, or even overnight, to see if the mother returns, especially since raccoons are nocturnal. Keeping pets and people away from the area during this observation period is important.
Direct handling of baby raccoons should be avoided due to the potential for disease transmission, such as rabies or distemper, and the risk of bites or scratches. If the kit appears injured, is continuously crying, seems cold, or is covered in insects, it may be orphaned or in distress. In such cases, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center or animal control for professional guidance. These organizations can assess the situation and provide appropriate care, ensuring the safety of both the animal and people.