Raccoons don’t hibernate the way chipmunks or groundhogs do, even though they can vanish for weeks during a cold snap.1The News Tribune. Do Raccoons Hibernate? How They Survive the Winter They get through winter with a lighter, on-and-off sleep that leaves them ready to wake, plus a body that bulks up in advance. That’s why a raccoon can turn up on a mild January night, and why one looking for a warm spot may pick your attic.2Critter Control. Do Raccoons Hibernate in Winter?
What Raccoons Do Instead of Hibernating
When it turns very cold, a raccoon settles into a den and sleeps lightly, curled up with its tail wrapped around it for warmth.3Critter Control. Do Raccoons Hibernate in Winter? It stays there for days or weeks, living off its fat.4The Faunalist. Do Raccoons Hibernate? What They Do Instead Its body temperature drops only slightly, and it wakes easily.5The Faunalist. Do Raccoons Hibernate? What They Do Instead
True hibernators like groundhogs let their body temperature plunge close to the air temperature and stay deeply asleep for months. Raccoons keep a near-normal body temperature, which is why one can leave the den the same night the weather warms.
Heart rate and body temperature fall a little, but nothing like the extreme slowdown of true hibernators.6Petfeed. Do Raccoons Hibernate? A raccoon’s heartbeat stays close to normal during winter sleep.7EBSCOhost. Hibernation In fact, raccoons kept indoors by bad weather for several days had sleeping heart rates that rose rather than fell.8Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science. Physiological Observations on Raccoons in Winter
Bears are a useful comparison. They also have a lighter winter sleep than classic hibernators, and some experts group raccoons, skunks and badgers with bears in this lighter winter sleep.9Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Do Raccoons Hibernate? How They Survive the Winter Raccoons still wake far more often, and for shorter breaks, than bears do.
When Raccoons Go Dormant and When They Wake Up
This winter sleep typically starts when temperatures fall below about 15°F.10The News Tribune. Do Raccoons Hibernate? How They Survive the Winter They come out to forage again when temperatures rise above roughly 20 to 30°F.11The Faunalist. Do Raccoons Hibernate? What They Do Instead
Climate decides how much they sleep. Raccoons go dormant in cold climates but stay active all year in milder ones.12EBSCOhost. Hibernation In the southern US a raccoon may never den up for long, while in the northern US and Canada it may spend several stretches asleep. Harsher winters, with more cold and snow, kill more raccoons in the far north.13harvest.usask.ca. The edge of a species’ range: survival and space-use patterns of raccoons at the northern periphery of their distribution
A northern raccoon’s winter runs in a rough order. Through late autumn it is active and feeding heavily at night. With the first hard freezes it begins to spend short stretches in its den. In the coldest weeks, usually January and February, it sleeps for its longest stretches. On thaw nights it makes brief trips out to look for food, then returns. As spring arrives, it goes back to regular nightly foraging. Fresh tracks in snow after a thaw mean a raccoon has woken to forage, not that it is sick or confused.
How Raccoons Fatten Up Before Winter
In autumn raccoons go through a stretch of intense feeding to build fat for winter. Near the northern edge of their range, they reach about 20% body fat by autumn.14University of Saskatchewan. The edge of a species’ range: survival and space-use patterns of raccoons at the northern periphery of their distribution Some of that fat is stored in the tail, to be used during winter sleep.15Oregon State University Libraries. An exploration on the impact of exposure to human intervention and captive rearing protocols on the post-release survival of wild orphaned raccoons raised in wildlife rehabilitation facilities: A case study of orphaned raccoons at WildCare (San Rafael, CA) Over the winter a raccoon can lose up to half of its summer body weight.16Oregon State University Libraries. An exploration on the impact of exposure to human intervention and captive rearing protocols on the post-release survival of wild orphaned raccoons raised in wildlife rehabilitation facilities: A case study of orphaned raccoons at WildCare (San Rafael, CA) The weight loss explains why a raccoon looks thin in early spring; that is expected, not a sign of illness.
Around a house, this shows up in October and November as more visits to trash bins, compost piles and bird feeders. Raccoons eat almost anything then, including nuts, fruit, insects and leftovers. A sudden rise in visits is normal fattening behavior, not a sign something is wrong.
Human food steadies the supply. Where farm grain is available, raccoons reach the same autumn fat level every year, no matter how good the wild food crop was.17University of Saskatchewan. The edge of a species’ range: survival and space-use patterns of raccoons at the northern periphery of their distribution A reliable supply of human food may cancel out the ups and downs of natural foods.18The Journal of Wildlife Management. Survival and Body Condition of Raccoons at the Edge of the Range
Where Raccoons Den and Why They Huddle
Hollow trees and logs are classic natural dens. Rock crevices and burrows dug by other animals also work. Around homes, raccoons use attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, sheds and spaces under decks. A good den is dry, out of the wind and easy to defend, which is why buildings suit them so well.
Raccoons usually live alone, but in winter they may den together, sometimes in large groups, to stay warm.19Oregon State University Libraries. An exploration on the impact of exposure to human intervention and captive rearing protocols on the post-release survival of wild orphaned raccoons raised in wildlife rehabilitation facilities: A case study of orphaned raccoons at WildCare (San Rafael, CA) Shared dens can include raccoons of different sexes and ages.20Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science (1903-). Raccoon Denning Behavior in Eastern Kansas as Determined from Radio-Telemetry Finding one raccoon in a den may mean there are several. Huddling means each raccoon loses less heat and burns less fat, which helps reserves last until spring.
Signs a Raccoon Is Spending Winter in Your Attic
Raccoons make heavy thumping or walking sounds at night, typically louder than what mice or squirrels make. Chattering or growling can come from the attic, especially if several raccoons share the den. Outside, look for bent vents, torn soffits or a damaged roof edge. Droppings and a strong smell near the entry or in the attic are further clues.
Quiet weeks can fool you. During winter sleep a raccoon may be silent for days, and noise often returns on warmer nights. Check outside for fresh tracks before deciding it has left.
The damage adds up. Raccoons building a den drag in leaves and twigs and tear up insulation and cardboard boxes.21Critter Control. Raccoon in Attic Removal They use stored items like blankets and clothing as nesting material, and they set up a latrine site in the attic.22Critter Control. Raccoon in Attic Removal One season of denning can ruin a large part of an attic’s insulation.23Pesticon. Raccoons or Squirrels in Your Surrey Attic: Signs & Removal Raccoons also often widen their entry hole, turning a small repair into a structural one.24Pesticon. Raccoons or Squirrels in Your Surrey Attic: Signs & Removal
Take care around all of this. Droppings can carry parasites, such as roundworm eggs that can be breathed in, so don’t handle or sweep them bare-handed. Raccoons can carry rabies, so avoid touching one, and never corner a raccoon in the attic.
What to Do About a Raccoon Before Spring Babies Arrive
Raccoons mate from roughly January to March.25Mass.gov. Learn about raccoons After about 63 days, a mother gives birth to 3 to 7 young, usually 4, in April or May.26Mass.gov. Learn about raccoons A raccoon tolerated in autumn can become a family by spring, making removal slower, harder and legally restricted.27Pesticon. Raccoons or Squirrels in Your Surrey Attic: Signs & Removal Raccoon problems need sealing them out, not trapping alone.28Pesticon. Raccoons or Squirrels in Your Surrey Attic: Signs & Removal
Timing guides the steps. In autumn, secure trash, pet food and bird feeders so your yard is less tempting. Before winter, inspect roof edges, vents and chimneys for weak spots. Seal openings only after confirming no animal, including young, is inside, using a one-way door if possible. Repair any widened hole promptly to avoid bigger damage.
Trapping alone fails for a few reasons. Another raccoon can move into the same opening if it is left unsealed. Removing a mother can leave her babies to die inside. Many places also have rules on trapping and relocating wildlife, so check local requirements first.
Call a professional if you hear young raccoons squealing in spring, or if the entry is high on the roof or the damage is large. Licensed wildlife removal knows local rules and safe timing.