Raccoons, with their masked faces and dexterous paws, are common in urban and suburban landscapes. Understanding their reproductive cycle is important for peaceful coexistence. Knowing when and where raccoons have their young, and their developmental stages, helps manage interactions. This information also guides appropriate actions if young raccoons are encountered or to prevent nesting on private property.
Raccoon Birthing Season
Raccoon breeding activity begins in late winter, from January to March. After a gestation period of 60 to 65 days, female raccoons give birth. Peak births, known as kits, occur in spring, primarily between March and May. While a single litter per year is common, a female may have a second litter as late as July if her first does not survive, particularly in warmer regions.
Appearance and Early Development of Kits
Newborn raccoon kits have closed eyes, light fur, and a faint mask. They are dependent on their mother for warmth and nourishment. Around three weeks, their eyes open, ears become erect, and their fur thickens, making their mask and ringed tail more distinct.
By five to six weeks, kits gain mobility, starting to crawl and climb, and become vocal with chirping or chattering sounds. By two months, they are active and curious, exploring outside the den, though still reliant on their mother for food. Weaning occurs around two to three months, when they begin consuming solid foods and accompany their mother on foraging expeditions.
Maternal Care and Denning Behavior
Female raccoons are protective mothers, selecting secure and secluded den sites to raise their young. Dens include hollow trees, abandoned burrows, and human structures like attics, chimneys, or under decks and sheds, for warmth and safety. The mother leaves kits only to forage and may move her litter to alternative den sites if threatened.
For the first few months, kits remain in the den, receiving constant care and nursing. The mother teaches survival skills, including foraging and avoiding dangers. Kits stay with their mother through their first winter, becoming independent around 8 to 12 months or when the next mating season begins.
Encountering Raccoon Kits
If seemingly abandoned kits are discovered, observe them from a distance before intervening. A mother may temporarily leave her kits to forage or move them to a new den. Unnecessary intervention can create true orphans, as the mother is the best caregiver.
Avoid touching kits; if handling is necessary for safety, wear gloves. If kits appear healthy and uninjured, place them in a secure, warm container (e.g., box with blanket and warm water bottle) near where found overnight. This allows the mother to retrieve them. If the mother does not return after several hours or by daylight, or if kits are injured or in distress, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for guidance.
Preventing Raccoon Nests on Your Property
Proactive measures discourage raccoons from establishing dens on your property. Secure outdoor trash cans with heavy-duty lids or bungee cords to eliminate a food source. Remove fallen fruit from trees and avoid leaving pet food outdoors, especially overnight.
Inspect and seal potential entry points into structures. Block access to attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, and areas under decks or sheds. Install chimney caps and repair any gaps or holes in siding, soffits, or vents to prevent entry. Keep the yard clean, trim tree branches away from the house, and address standing water sources to deter these animals.