There is no definitive answer to the question of how long can raccoons live. Raccoons’ lifespans depend on many factors including weather, disease, natural predators and human intervention. Extreme cold can wreak havoc on raccoons. These animals may share their dens with other animals for warmth and may suffer starvation or death from diseases. In areas where they are not a common sight, raccoons can survive for decades.
According to Dr. Mark, a veterinary scientist, raccoons can live as long as 20 years if they are cared for properly. While the lifespan of a captive raccoon is significantly shorter than that of its wild counterpart, it is certainly possible to find an animal who has lived in captivity for more than twenty years. Raccoons can also be killed due to vehicular injuries and hunting.
Raccoons begin their lives by mating. Mating takes place from February to March, and male raccoons leave their territories to find females. Female raccoons give birth to two to five kits per litter. These kits usually begin to leave their den after eight to 12 weeks, and the mother cares for them until they are around 16 weeks old. The babies then begin to crawl and begin to walk.
In the wild, a raccoon can go up to five days without food. They also require large amounts of food during the winter months. Raccoons are opportunistic predators and are not known to eat cats. Their main prey, however, is rabbits, although they are slower than the latter. They can only run at a rate of fifteen miles per hour, compared to the speed of 27 mph for rabbits.
Raccoon babies should not be taken as pets. Raccoon mothers are better caregivers for abandoned raccoons. Without a mother, the baby raccoon would not survive. A mother teaches its child how to find food and take care of itself. If a baby raccoon is born outside its mother’s care, it can be left in the care of wildlife rehabilitation centers.
When spooked, raccoons will seek new living areas or move to a new home. If they are trapped, it is almost certain that the animal will die if trapped or relocated. In addition, relocated raccoons often die within two months of relocation, because they must adapt to their new home and hunt for food. Raccoons live for two to three years, so a house invasion will cost thousands of dollars.
Raccoons spend much of their time in winter. They do not hibernate, but they do spend time in their dens. They sleep six to eight hours a day. Then, they leave their dens until the sun sets. Then they begin hunting for food. Sleeping and eating habits of raccoons depend on the time of year. If temperatures drop below 59 degrees F, they enter a state called torpor.
