Raccoons give birth to a new litter in the spring, with most births occurring in late March to early April. Raccoon mothers will usually birth to 2-5 children per litter. Baby raccoons may seem adorable, but they can be just as dangerous as their full-grown mother.
Using Caution Around Baby Raccoons
First, it is important to keep your distance from any wild animal. However, on the subject of baby raccoons, it can be easy to become hurt. Like most mammals, a mother raccoon will be very protective of her young. If you see a baby raccoon, the mother is probably nearby. The young raccoon may also view your presence as a threat, and may attack. Despite looking adorable, a baby raccoon will have claws developed for climbing, and sharp teeth. Because of this, they can be quite ferocious when they feel threatened. Baby raccoons can carry just as many diseases as their parents, including rabies.
If the Mother is Not Around
If you do not see a mother raccoon nearby, it probably won’t be far off. Leave the young raccoons alone. The mother is most likely foraging or looking for a den. If it is not nearby, it will be, soon. If the mother returns and you are near the babies, it may consider you a threat, and attack.
Deterring Raccoons from Your Property
Raccoons like easy meals and secure shelters. They will eat almost any food or scraps, so it is important to secure your trash cans. Animal-proof, locking trash cans can be a good way to prevent raccoons from dumping your trash everywhere. If you do not want to purchase more expensive cans, consider tying them down or using bungee cords to secure the lids.
Sheds and decks can make excellent raccoon dens. Be sure to check their integrity regularly, and lock the shed. The crawlspace under a deck is a common spot for dens, so securing this area with wire mesh or boards can help.
Lastly, trim tree branches that hang over or near the roof of your home. Raccoons and other animals can use branches to access your roof or chimney as another potential place to den.
Safe Removal of Raccoons and their Young
If there is a raccoon living on your property, call a humane wildlife removal specialist. The specialist will be able to remove the raccoon family and repair any damages that they caused. This will also help ensure that all of the raccoon’s young are humanely removed.