Introduction to Baby Raccoons
Raccoons are wild animals that in urban and suburban areas like Toronto, give birth in attics, sheds, and crawl spaces. Baby raccoons are completely dependent on their mom for warmth, food and protection. They don’t even have their eyes open until approx. 2-3 weeks old.
If the mom is removed or killed, orphaned baby raccoons face a high risk of dying. There are immediate survival challenges to be met, and they need specialized care from a wildlife rehabilitator.
Birth and Early Development
Baby raccoons are born in a den site Between March and May, but early and late babies are standard. Mother raccoons often hide them in a warm, safe location like an attic, a shed, or under a deck. They are born blind, with their eyes closed and ears folded, and their bodies are unable to regulate their own body temperature.
A typical litter has 3-5 young; some adult raccoons can have up to 7.
The Mom Raccoon
The female raccoon is an excellent mother; she keeps her young babies warm and fed, and she’s protective. She can get vicious if she thinks they are being threatened.
A mother raccoon will move her babies to a new den if she senses danger, often taking them one by one in her mouth.
If the babies under six weeks are orphaned, they are at risk of starvation, hypothermia and predation.
Feeding and Warming up Baby Raccoons
Baby raccoons rely solely on their mother’s milk for the first 6 weeks of life, gradually transitioning to solid food as they grow.
Although humans mean well, we have to stop feeding baby wildlife. This does much more harm than good. Feeding baby raccoons the wrong food, such as cow’s milk, can cause severe digestive issues and even death.
Baby food can be used as a temporary supplement for an orphaned baby raccoon, but it should not be the primary diet. Opt for high-protein, low-sugar options like plain meat-based baby foods (chicken, turkey) or mashed fruits and vegetables. Avoid anything with added sugars, preservatives, or dairy. However, a proper diet should include a puppy milk replacer (like Esbilac) for very young raccoons and gradually transition to solid foods under the guidance of a wildlife rehabilitator.
To keep an orphaned newborn baby raccoon warm, wildlife rescuers often create a new den for the baby wildlife using a cardboard box with a soft cloth, a heating pad, a ‘warm’ hot water bottle, or a sock filled with uncooked rice (microwaved).
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When to Intervene: Helping Orphaned Baby Raccoons
If you find a baby raccoon on the ground that’s cold and hungry or crying for long periods, it may be orphaned and need help. The best thing for a baby raccoon is its mother, but sadly, sometimes, it gets taken out of the picture.
Place the baby in a box on the ground, in a safe spot near where it was originally found, preferably overnight. Because raccoons are nocturnal, they generally come out at night, and you have to give them some time to retrieve their babies. The mother raccoon could possibly be close by, just watching, waiting for the best time to come and regain possession of her baby and take it back to the den site.
It could potentially take a night or two for the mother raccoon to come to get her baby. If you notice that the baby continues to be abandoned, a wildlife rehabilitator should be contacted, and in the meantime,e the baby shouldn’t be fed any food or drink.
Growth and Development of Young Raccoons
At three weeks old, their eyes and ears open, and they start exploring their surroundings. By six weeks, raccoons start eating solid food and playing rough house with their littermates to learn survival skills. They can also grip with their back feet and hang upside down at this point. Young raccoons are curious and can climb surprisingly well which helps them navigate their environment.
Risks of Human Interaction
Don’t raise raccoons as pets; they are wild animals that behave unpredictablely. We humans are generally not good surrogate mothers. Raccoons, even young ones, can carry diseases like rabies and pose a health risk to humans and pets. If intervention is needed, always wear gloves and avoid excessive handling to prevent them from imprinting on humans.
Conclusion
The best way to help baby raccoons is to let their own mothers care for them whenever possible. Only when it’s not possible should humans intervene. If a baby raccoon appears orphaned, contact a professional to ensure the safest and most humane outcome. Knowing how to care for baby raccoons helps protect wildlife and humans and promotes coexistence with nature.
