Some species stick with their mothers forever. Raccoons will never have 30-year-old children living in their basement eating all their food. Typically raccoon babies are on their own within the first year. But, there’s a lot to learn before young raccoons can step out into an ever changing environment.
Raccoons are quite solitary animals
Raccoons live most their time alone. There are a lot of skills mother raccoons need to teach their babies in order for them to survive. Male raccoons are not involved in raising the young. Raccoons are very opportunistic. Sometimes they need to make the most out of meals. Also, raccoon den sites are established in a variety of different places. They’ve adapted to living amongst human settlement and can react quickly to changes in environment.
Young raccoons typically stay with their mother for about a year
During this time mothers are incredibly protective and attack anything that comes close to their family. A litter usually consists of four to six babies. They’re born during spring and early summer and blind and helpless. It’s about three weeks until their eyes open. Between four and six weeks the babies begin to stand. The mother weans them between two and three months. As a group they’ll leave the den and the mother will guide them through foraging for food. She may carry the babies one-by-one in her mouth to different locations until they are fully mobile.
Attics are a favourite location for mother raccoons to hide their litter of babies.
Around five months of age raccoons will forage on their own
But, they continue to live with their mother and siblings. At this time they’re learning to hunt, forage and climb. The family will stick together through the raccoon’s first winter. They don’t hibernate. But, stay together for warmth in communal den sites.
Early spring young raccoons will leave their mother’s den
After 10 months they will be independent. However, some will mature quicker than others. Raccoons can leave their mother’s care anywhere between 8 and 12 months. Although they’re equipped to go out on their own, young raccoons may build dens close to the mother. Males are a little more independent and might move further away.
Baby raccoons stashed away inside an attic.
Milton animal control raccoon removal
Spring is the busiest time for wildlife control professionals. Many young raccoons are searching for a place to call their own. This can include your attic, chimney or walls.
Each spring it’s important to spend some time inspecting your house and roof for signs of vulnerability. Canadian winters can be hard on roofs, fascia and siding. You will want to secure and repair any damage immediately to prevent wildlife entry.
Mother raccoons will be on the lookout for safe and secure places to stash their babies. You don’t want them in your attic. If you find evidence of raccoon entry make sure to contact a professional raccoon removal service. Once a mother raccoon has had her babies the removal process becomes much more complicated and the potential for damage grows.
Call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today! 1-888-592-0387.
