It is almost time for raccoons to have their litter, and we aren’t talking about the mess they leave by your garbage bins. Pregnant raccoons will soon be giving birth to baby raccoons. While the raccoon birthing season is from March to June, the peak time is from late April to May. When raccoons are due, they like to hunker down in a safe spot to give birth to their litter. This may include your shed, attic, or under your deck.
Raccoon Pregnancy and Their Litter
After a long winter, raccoons enter their mating season. Gestation for raccoons typically lasts around 65 days. From there, a raccoon will give birth to about 2-5 kits. Some litters may include up to 8. For the next 2 months, the mother will keep the kits protected in the den, not venturing too far herself. After this time, the young will accompany their mother on foraging ventures. During this time, they can be quite rowdy. Raccoon kits may also approach humans more openly, as they haven’t learned to avoid them.
How To Know if a Raccoon is in Your House
If a raccoon is living in your home, you may hear it before you see it. Raccoons may make rustling, banging, or thumping sounds. While a solitary raccoon may not vocalize much, a litter of kits will likely make a lot of noise. It may sound like a mix of purring and chirping noises. Additionally, you may see the raccoon or its litter around your house. They will likely be scrounging near the trash, your garden, or other potential food sources.
If There is a Raccoon Litter in Your Home
When there is a pregnant raccoon or a litter in your home, it is important to have them safely and professionally removed. Wild raccoons can carry a wide assortment of diseases, many of which can be easily transferred to their young. Contact a licensed humane wildlife removal company for the safe exclusion and relocation of the mother and her young.