Here in Arkansas, we have a lot of raccoons. They live mostly live in wooded areas near water.
That’s why a recent camping trip to the Dam Site Campground on Greers Ferry Lake turned into Raccoon Fest at night.
They tried to steal our s’mores while we were eating them, they stole our soap, they ripped open our trash sack that was hanging from a high pole and they even threw our dishes off the picnic table.
Lots of raccoons also means lots of baby raccoons.
Today were going to talk ALL ABOUT baby raccoons. They are cute but they grow up to be menaces around campgrounds and trash cans.
All About Baby Raccoons
Have you ever seen a mama raccoon with a litter of her kits? They are absolutely adorable but there are some common questions that many people have about them.
Let’s talk about:
- What baby raccoons sound like
- What baby raccoons are called
- How to tell how old a baby raccoon is
- What to do if you find a baby raccoon
- And much more!
What is a Baby Raccoon Called?
Many people just call young animals “babies.” I have heard people say, “Look at that baby deer!” Instead of referring to it as a fawn.
I completely understand why people do this. It’s hard to keep up with all the different names for “baby animals!”
Here are a few “baby names” for common animals:
- Baby Deer = Fawn
- Baby Bear = Cub
- Baby Fox = Pups
- Baby Squirrel = Kitten
- Baby Armadillo = Pup
- Baby Alligator = Hatchling
- Baby Moles = Pups
- Baby Bat = Pups
- Baby Elk = Calf
- Baby Rabbit = Kitten
- Baby Raccoon = Kit
So, now we know that a baby raccoon is called a kit and a group of kits are called a litter.
What Does a Baby Raccoon Sound Like?
When raccoons are first born, they sound a lot like a chirping bird. Some also call it a chittering noise.
As baby raccoons (or kits) get a little older, they can make a squawking noise almost like a hawk.
Here is a video from a pest control company who is relocating some baby raccoons.
How Can I Tell How Old a Baby Raccoon Is?
Perhaps you run across a small raccoon in the wild and you wonder if it’s a young kit or perhaps just a small adult. Here are a few signs that will help you out.
Some say that the age of a raccoon can be determined by the wrinkles around their eyes.
The older the animal gets, the more wrinkles they have around their eyes.
You can also tell the age of a baby raccoon by their size and features.
0-2 weeks old – tiny with closed eyes and ears
4 weeks old – about a foot long
5-6 weeks old – they can move around well (walk, run, climb)
7 weeks old – lots of noises and wrestling
How Can You Tell If a Baby Raccoon Is Abandoned?
It happens so often, people see a baby animal and they automatically think it has been abandoned by it’s mother.
However, mothers just don’t abandon their babies. Sure, there are times when the mother has been killed by a predator but, most of the time, the mother is just away hunting.
Raccoon mothers will leave their babies safely hidden while they are out hunting for food. Because, if mama doesn’t do it, nobody will.
If you find a baby raccoon that looks abandoned, it’s best to leave it alone for 24 hours. Most often, the mother will be back.
If the mother doesn’t come back within 24 hours, there might be a chance something has happened to the mother. So, call a wildlife officer for advice on how to proceed.
How Long Can a Baby Raccoon Survive Without Its Mother?
Like a lot of mammals, a baby raccoon cannot survive long without its mother.
However, if you find a baby raccoon by itself, don’t automatically assume that it’s mother is gone forever.
Keep in mind that the mother has to go out and find food. There is no Walmart grocery delivery for her!
Many times, the mother will stay away for several hours or up to a day searching for food.
So, the short answer is that baby raccoons can survive up to 24 hours without their mother.
What To Do If You Find a Baby Raccoon
If you find a baby raccoon, leave it alone. The mother will most likely be back.
Make sure the baby raccoon (kit) is in a safe place and give the mother at least 24 hours to come back. She probably just out hunting for food and she doesn’t want you making her baby into a house pet!
It’s only time to call an expert if the mother has been missing for over 24 hours.
Albino Baby Raccoon
Did you know that there is such a thing as albino baby raccoons? There sure is!
Now, it’s not very common.
Albino raccoons are rare. They’ve got a roughly 1 in 10,000 chance of being born with albinism, which Zoo Knoxville said isn’t the greatest feature for a wild animal.
source
As you might have guessed, raccoons were designed with camouflage for a reason. When a kit is born albino, there is a good chance that they won’t survive to be an adult.
Don’t miss this: Is it legal to kill raccoons in Arkansas?
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