What happens when you find a baby raccoon?

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Discovering a baby raccoon can be a surprising and emotional experience, but the most important thing to remember is to resist the urge to immediately intervene. The best course of action is often to leave the raccoon alone and observe from a distance, as its mother is likely nearby.

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Understanding the Situation: A Natural Encounter

Finding a baby raccoon, especially in spring and early summer, is not uncommon. Raccoons are highly adaptable and thrive in both urban and rural environments. They often build dens in places like attics, chimneys, under decks, or in hollow trees. Sometimes, young raccoons, called kits, venture out of the den and become separated from their mother. Understanding the natural behaviors of raccoons is the first step in determining the proper response.

Is the Baby Raccoon Truly Orphaned?

Before assuming the baby raccoon is orphaned, it’s crucial to determine if it’s truly in distress. A healthy baby raccoon will typically be alert and vocal. Here are some factors to consider:

Appearance: Is the raccoon clean and well-groomed? A neglected raccoon may appear dirty or matted.
Behavior: Is it lethargic, unresponsive, or visibly injured? Active and alert raccoons are more likely to be under their mother’s care.
Location: Is the raccoon in a dangerous location, such as a busy road or exposed to extreme weather?
Observation: Have you observed the area for an extended period (several hours or overnight) to see if the mother returns? Mother raccoons often forage for food and return to their young, even if they are away for several hours.

The Waiting Game: Observing from a Distance

The most important advice when what happens when you find a baby raccoon? is to wait and observe. The mother is likely nearby and will return if she feels safe. Keep your distance and avoid making noise or getting too close, as this could scare her away.

Here’s a suggested protocol for observation:

Step 1: Identify a safe observation point from inside your home or vehicle, at least 30-50 feet away.
Step 2: Observe the raccoon for several hours, ideally during dawn or dusk, when raccoons are most active.
Step 3: If the mother hasn’t returned by nightfall, and the baby raccoon appears healthy and is in a safe location, consider leaving it overnight.
Step 4: Continue observing the next morning.

Intervention: When to Take Action

There are specific situations where intervention is necessary. These include:

Visible Injuries: If the raccoon has obvious injuries, such as broken bones, open wounds, or is bleeding, it needs immediate veterinary care.
Signs of Illness: Lethargy, disorientation, seizures, or severe diarrhea are signs of illness and require professional assistance.
Exposure to Extreme Weather: If the raccoon is exposed to extreme heat or cold and appears distressed, intervention may be necessary.
Known Orphaned Status: If you witness the death of the mother, or if you know for certain that the raccoon is orphaned (e.g., it has been alone for more than 24 hours with no sign of the mother), it’s time to contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

Safe Handling Practices

If you determine that intervention is necessary, never handle a raccoon with your bare hands. Raccoons can carry diseases, such as rabies, and may bite or scratch if they feel threatened.

Here’s how to handle a baby raccoon safely:

Wear thick gloves: Leather work gloves are ideal.
Use a towel or blanket: Gently scoop the raccoon up with a towel or blanket to minimize direct contact.
Place the raccoon in a secure container: A cardboard box or pet carrier lined with a towel is suitable.
Keep the raccoon warm: Provide a heat source, such as a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.
Minimize stress: Keep the container in a quiet, dark place away from pets and children.
Contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately: Explain the situation and follow their instructions.

Finding a Qualified Wildlife Rehabilitator

Wildlife rehabilitators are trained and licensed professionals who specialize in caring for injured and orphaned wild animals. They have the knowledge and resources to provide the necessary medical care, nutrition, and rehabilitation to prepare the raccoon for release back into the wild.

Contact your local animal control agency: They can provide you with a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in your area.
Search online: Use keywords like “wildlife rehabilitator near me” to find local organizations.
Contact your local veterinarian: They may be able to provide a referral.

The Risks of Keeping a Raccoon as a Pet

It is illegal in most jurisdictions to keep a wild animal, including a raccoon, as a pet. Even if it were legal, it is highly discouraged. Raccoons are wild animals with complex needs that cannot be met in a domestic environment. They can become destructive, aggressive, and pose a risk to human health and safety. They are also carriers of diseases and parasites. What happens when you find a baby raccoon? Taking it in as a pet is definitely not the correct answer.

Releasing a Rehabilitated Raccoon

A qualified wildlife rehabilitator will ensure that the raccoon is healthy and capable of surviving in the wild before it is released. They will also choose an appropriate release site, ideally near where the raccoon was found, or in a suitable habitat with access to food and water.

Factor	Importance
—————-	———————————————————————–
Health	Must be free of injuries and disease
Age	Ideally released before becoming overly habituated to humans
Location	Release site should be near original habitat or suitable alternative
Season	Spring or early summer is ideal to allow time to adjust before winter
Socialization	Ideally, raccoons are released with other rehabilitated raccoons.

The Long-Term Impact of Human Intervention

While it’s natural to want to help a baby raccoon, it’s important to remember that human intervention can have negative consequences. Removing a raccoon from its natural environment can disrupt its development and reduce its chances of survival. Allowing the mother to care for her young is always the best option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will the mother raccoon reject her baby if I touch it?

No, this is a common misconception. While it’s best to avoid handling a baby raccoon unnecessarily, the mother will not reject it simply because it has human scent on it. The mother raccoon is more concerned with the safety of her young.

What if the baby raccoon is crying?

A crying baby raccoon may simply be hungry or scared. The best course of action is still to observe from a distance to see if the mother returns.

What should I feed a baby raccoon?

Never feed a baby raccoon cow’s milk or human baby formula. They require a specialized formula formulated for wild animals. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator for guidance on proper feeding.

How old do baby raccoons need to be to survive on their own?

Baby raccoons typically stay with their mothers for about six to nine months. They are not fully independent until they are at least three to four months old. This is another reason why it is best not to intervene unnecessarily.

What are the signs that a baby raccoon is dehydrated?

Signs of dehydration include dry gums, sunken eyes, and skin that doesn’t snap back quickly when pinched gently. Dehydration requires immediate attention from a wildlife rehabilitator.

How do I protect myself from raccoon diseases?

Always wear gloves when handling a raccoon and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Avoid contact with raccoon feces and urine. Consult with your doctor if you are concerned about exposure to raccoon diseases.

Is it legal to trap and relocate raccoons?

Trapping and relocating raccoons is illegal in many jurisdictions. It can also be harmful to the raccoon, as it may not be able to find food and shelter in a new territory. It is also more likely that you are leaving young behind.

What should I do if a raccoon is in my attic or chimney?

Contact a professional wildlife removal service to humanely remove the raccoon and seal off entry points. Do not attempt to remove a raccoon yourself, as it can be dangerous.

How can I prevent raccoons from entering my property?

Secure garbage cans, remove pet food, and trim tree branches that provide access to your roof. Raccoons are attracted to food and shelter.

What is raccoon roundworm?

Raccoon roundworm is a parasite that can be transmitted to humans through contact with raccoon feces. It can cause serious health problems.

What are some of the other dangers of wild animals?

Wild animals can carry a variety of diseases, including rabies, distemper, and leptospirosis. They can also bite or scratch, causing injury and infection. It is best to avoid contact with wild animals whenever possible.

If I do end up rescuing a baby raccoon, what do I do with it while waiting for a wildlife rehabilitator?

Keep the raccoon in a dark, quiet place such as a box with a towel for bedding. Do not offer food or water unless explicitly instructed to by the wildlife rehabilitator. Minimize handling as this will minimize stress for the animal.