In the winter, raccoons seek warm places to create dens and spend the winter. These are generally underground or elevated structures such as abandoned burrows, hollow logs, or even chimneys. Raccoons tend to congregate in dens that are shared with other raccoons to take advantage of each others’ body heat. However, raccoons may also use abandoned buildings and unused attics as winter dens.
Although raccoons are mostly solitary animals, they do congregate in dens with other roving animals during winter. This allows them to share body heat and remain warm. During the winter, raccoons can lose up to 50% of their body weight. Raccoons can adapt to any environment and live in tree stump hollows, chimneys, abandoned buildings, or even underground.
The breeding season for raccoons begins late January or early February in northern areas. Most areas witness mating in March and births in May, but there have also been cases where raccoons breed in January and February. In the southern part of the country, however, raccoons can breed all year long. During the winter, female raccoons can spend time resting and storing fat to ward off cold temperatures.
Although raccoons do not hibernate, they do use special adaptations to survive the coldest season. These animals are capable of sleeping for several days or even a whole month without eating. Because of this, they are opportunistic foragers in the winter. In addition to eating extra food, they also eat extra in autumn. Raccoons will spend a lot of time in their dens or hollow trees. However, they tend to remain cautious of humans, and will approach a den if they see one.
Although raccoons don’t have particular preferences for housing, they often move between dens every few days. However, nursing females may stay in the den until the baby raccoons reach an age of independence. In addition to their dens, raccoons also have a territory or home range. This range can range from one to eighteen miles. This is also where they spend the winter months.
While raccoons do not hibernate, they do sleep in dens. In warmer climates, they may choose to store body fat for the winter months, and spend the cold months sleeping in it. While some may seek shelter in a home attic, others will spend the winter months in caves and rock crevasses. Raccoons may also remain active during the day while seeking food, and you can expect to see them out during the day for scavenging.
Raccoons are omnivorous, which means they eat nearly anything. They prefer corn and crayfish, and will eat plants and insects. They also eat eggs, birds, mice, and young rabbits. Occasionally, raccoons will enter homes and steal pet food left outside. They may be able to hide inside a building, so they’re a serious pest.
