Raccoon Mating Season in WI
As spring settles in and April showers spark new blooms, homeowners are also subject to another seasonal occurrence: raccoon babies. Advanced Wildlife Control Inc. is here to help you uphold the health and comfort of your home by highlighting the ins and outs of raccoon mating season in Ozaukee County, Milwaukee County, Washington County, and Waukesha County.
Exploring the Reproductive Habits of Raccoons
Whether you reside in a big city, a suburban sprawl, or a rural area, you are likely no stranger to raccoons. In fact, you may even deal with a raccoon problem, leading to knocked-over trash cans and other unfavorable masked-creature tendencies. Unfortunately, this nuisance only becomes amplified once the raccoon mating season begins.
What Are Raccoons?
Before diving into key questions, such as when do raccoons breed or how to get rid of raccoons, it’s important to be able to identify these curious animals. Raccoons are stocky mammals with black and gray stripped fur and bushy, ringed tails. They have distinct, black-masked faces and grow to be the size of housecats or small dogs.
Distinct Raccoon Behavior
Raccoons are very smart, nocturnal animals. They have coined the nickname “trash panda” due to their affinity for rummaging through garbage. Raccoons have front paws that mirror the abilities of human hands, making them incredibly coordinated. This makes it easier for raccoons to open containers, trash can lids, and more.
Raccoon Family Life
Wildlife specialists formerly believed raccoons to be solitary animals. However, recent research shows that raccoons live in gender-separated groups. Female raccoons from the same bloodline will meet in common areas to sleep, eat, and rest.
Raccoon Sounds & the Meaning Behind Them
Raccoons are vocal animals. They make a number of sounds, each with a specific meaning. These sounds serve as the raccoons’ primary form of communication, allowing them to alert other raccoons of predators, display emotion, and more.
Raccoon Mating Sounds
During the raccoon mating season, several sounds are commonly heard. Raccoons will often screech to indicate they are ready to begin mating, and the screech can be heard up to 100 meters away. Raccoons also bark. They may bark for several reasons, one of which is during breeding.
Mother Raccoon Sounds
There are certain raccoon sounds more commonly displayed by mother raccoons. One is the whistle, used to alert other raccoons of nearby predators to protect their young. Raccoons also make a chittering and/or churring sound to soothe their babies or while feeding them.
When Do Raccoons Mate?
Raccoons’ mating season spans from January to March. The reproductive age for most female raccoons is around the age of one. As winter trickles in and the days grow longer, male raccoons will roam their territory in search of a female. This is followed by several days of courting and multiple copulation attempts.
When Do Raccoons Have Babies?
Once impregnated, female raccoons will seek out a safe, elevated shelter to give birth. They typically give birth between mid-March and early May. Baby raccoons open their eyes 23 days after being born and remain with their mother until the autumn or even through the winter before going off on their own.
How Many Babies Do Raccoons Have?
Female raccoons can give birth to 2-6 babies, also called kits. A raccoon usually only has one litter every year, with each litter producing between three to seven kits. Kits are born with their eyes closed and highly dependent on their mother. Baby raccoons are not weened until they are 7-10 weeks old.
When Do Raccoons Have Babies?
Once impregnated, female raccoons will seek out a safe, elevated shelter to give birth. They typically give birth between mid-March and early May. Baby raccoons open their eyes 23 days after being born and remain with their mother until the autumn or even through the winter before going off on their own.
Where Do Raccoons Give Birth?
Female raccoons prioritize secure shelter to give birth and raise their young. They strive to find elevated, enclosed areas, such as hollow trees or logs. However, due to human interference, they have become more creative in sourcing birthing sanctuaries, leading them to nest under sheds and decks.
First Months
Kits stay cozy inside their den until they are two or three months old but remain with their mother until they are one year old. The mother will nurse the kits for a minimum of 16 weeks. Once they begin growing, they will join their mother to explore and seek out food sources.
Are Baby Raccoons Dangerous?
Despite their adorable appearance, baby raccoons are a force to be reckoned with and should not be approached unless you are a certified animal control professional. Baby raccoons can scratch or bite you should you try to hold them. Furthermore, they can carry parasites, diseases, and mites that they contract from their mother.
The Risks of Coming Into Contact With Baby Raccoons
When dealing with baby raccoons, it’s imperative to seek the assistance of a certified professional. The health and safety risks associated with coming into contact with baby raccoons include:
- They may carry rabies and other diseases.
- They can bite, claw, or scratch you.
- They may be infected by parasites or mites.
How to Get Rid of Raccoon Kits & Mother Raccoons
It is not safe to approach a mother raccoon and her kits. However, that doesn’t mean you need to let them take over your property. To effectively remove raccoons from your home, seek professional guidance from pest and animal control services, such as Advanced Wildlife Control Inc.
Secure Raccoon Removal In Southeastern Wisconsin
Remember that while baby raccoons may look cute and cuddly, they should never be approached without the help of a trusted professional. To remove baby or adult raccoons from your Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Washington, or Waukesha County property, look to Advanced Wildlife Control Inc. Contact us today to learn more.