Raccoons, with their distinctive masked faces and dexterous paws, are a common sight across North America, inhabiting a wide range of environments from forests to bustling urban areas. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in close proximity to humans, often sparking curiosity about their behaviors, particularly their reproductive cycles. Understanding when and where raccoons raise their young provides insight into these intelligent creatures and how best to coexist with them.
When Raccoons Give Birth
Raccoons breed from late winter to early summer, with peak mating in March and April. After a 63-65 day gestation, females give birth to a single litter annually.
Birth timing varies by geographical location and climate. While many kits are born in April or May, births can occur from March to June, especially in northern regions. Litters contain three to seven offspring, averaging four. If a first litter does not survive, a second may be produced later in the season.
Where Raccoon Mothers Den
Female raccoons choose secluded, secure locations to give birth and raise their young, prioritizing safety from predators and the elements. In natural environments, den sites include hollow trees, logs, and rock crevices. They also use abandoned burrows dug by other animals, such as woodchucks.
In urban and suburban areas, raccoons adapt to human structures, often denning in attics, chimneys, and spaces beneath porches or decks. These human-made shelters offer warmth, dryness, and protection, making them appealing nesting sites. Raccoons are resourceful and use any secure, quiet space available.
Raccoon Kit Development
Raccoon kits are born blind and helpless, weighing 2 to 3.5 ounces. Their eyes open around 18 to 24 days, or three to four weeks. At this stage, they are entirely dependent on their mother for warmth and nourishment.
Around four to five weeks old, kits develop their characteristic black mask and ringed tail, and their fur thickens. By six to eight weeks, they become more active, crawling, climbing, and exploring within the den. They venture outside the den with their mother at eight to nine weeks, learning foraging skills and other behaviors. Kits are weaned around 12 weeks but remain with their mother through their first winter, gaining independence the following spring.
Encountering Baby Raccoons
Encountering a baby raccoon can raise concerns, but first determine if the kit is truly orphaned or if its mother is nearby. Female raccoons often leave their young temporarily while foraging for food, especially during the day. A healthy baby raccoon found alone should be observed from a distance for several hours, or even overnight, to allow the mother a chance to return. Placing the kit in a box with high sides and a warm water bottle can provide protection while waiting.
Contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is recommended if the baby raccoon shows clear signs of being orphaned or injured. These signs include visible injury, constant crying, dehydration, being cold to the touch, or being covered in insects. Wildlife rehabilitators have the expertise to provide proper care and eventual release, as raising raccoons requires specialized knowledge. Avoid attempting to care for the animal yourself or feeding it, as improper care can be harmful. Always wear gloves when handling any wild animal for personal safety.