Most wildlife phone calls received during the spring through summer months for raccoons deal with mom (sow) and her babies (kit). Raccoons are becoming more fond of raising their offspring in attics. While denning down and raising her young she’ll demonstrate strong parental habits. Homeowners typically ask the following questions. Are mom and dad (boar) both raising the young? What is mom doing during the day and night? When do the kit embark on their own paths?
Raccoons breed during the winter and early spring. Their gestation period is 62 days. After breeding the male will no longer be in the picture. The female will raise the young on her own. Mammals are known for their strong maternal instincts and protection of their offspring and raccoons are no exception. With an average of 3-5 kit mom will have her hands full for the upcoming year.
While pregnant, mom will be on the look out for a den site to birth and raise her kit. Attics are becoming a popular choice. Attics are generally unvisited by humans. Attics are full of cozy insulation and maintain a dark quiet ambiance. Attics also offer nooks and crannies. The sows are known to keep the young in some hard to reach areas.
Raccoon moms hold their offsprings safety at the forefront of their minds. Kit are usually not found in easy to reach areas of the attic floor. Instead moms will target the hard to reach corners, wall cavities or interior voids of soffits. During the daytime mom be inside keeping the young safe and nursing. If the mother can get some sleep and rest she will do this during the day as well. It’s not uncommon for sow to den with the kit for periods longer than 24hrs at a time. When the mother needs to forage for food and water she will leave the attic.
Raccoons are nocturnal. However, when babies are around and mom needs to find food females can be seen active during the day as well. This is one of the few times the young will be left alone without supervision. Females will return to continue nursing and rest. The kit are weaned after 2-3 months.; however, the kit will remain with their mother for up to a year while she teaches them her skills.
Homeowners with a raccoon family in the attic are frequently tipped off to their presence by the young crying/whining. Other homeowners see missing shingles or pieces of their homes exterior laying on the ground. If a raccoon family is in the attic it will consist of the sow and her kit, no male/boar. The sow will be with the offspring for up to a year spending most of her time the first few months nursing, foraging and attempting to rest. Like most mammals the young depend on their mother for their survival. For this reason it’s important to keep the family together and evict as a group. If you believe you have a raccoon living in your attic contact the wildlife professionals at Critter Evictors for more information!