A baby raccoon is referred to as a kit, and its size undergoes one of the most rapid and dramatic transformations. A newborn kit is a fraction of its adult size, completely helpless and dependent on its mother. Understanding the size of a kit requires looking at specific developmental stages, as its measurements change almost daily from a tiny, blind newborn to an independent juvenile. This steep growth curve necessitates staged measurements to define how large a young raccoon is at any given point in its first year.
Size Immediately After Birth
Newborn raccoon kits are remarkably small, typically weighing between 2 to 7 ounces (60 to 198 grams) at birth. Their length, measured from the nose to the base of the tail, is usually only 4 to 6 inches. They are born with their eyes and ears tightly closed, rendering them blind and deaf for their first few weeks.
The kits’ bodies are covered in fine, sparse, light-colored or yellowish fur, offering little insulation. They are incapable of standing or walking, relying instead on a wiggling motion to navigate the immediate area of the den. The faint outline of the dark facial mask often begins to appear by the end of the first week.
These tiny kits are dependent on their mother’s milk and body heat for their first month. During this neonatal period, their main activities are nursing and sleeping, allowing for the rapid weight gain needed for development. A kit’s weight can double within its first month as it consumes its mother’s rich milk supply.
Growth Milestones and Development
The most significant growth occurs in the first three months, as the kit transforms from a sedentary newborn to a mobile explorer. At approximately three weeks of age, the kits’ eyes begin to open, followed shortly by the opening of their ear canals. By this time, a kit weighs around 8.8 ounces (250 grams) and is 8.5 to 10 inches long.
Around four weeks, the first deciduous teeth begin to erupt, and the kits start transitioning from the clumsy wiggling motion to a more stable, albeit wobbly, walk. By five to six weeks, the kits have grown to an average weight of about 19.4 ounces (550 grams) and are 12 to 14 inches long. At this stage, they are much more coordinated and can walk, run, and climb with increasing agility, though they are still confined to the den.
The process of weaning, or transitioning to solid food, begins around seven weeks as the kits’ teeth are fully in. The mother gradually introduces solid foods, and the kits are typically fully weaned and eating on their own between 9 and 12 weeks. By 10 weeks, a kit will weigh close to 33 ounces, or just over two pounds, having multiplied its birth weight many times over.
This increase in size coincides with their first journeys outside the den, which usually occur when they are between 8 and 12 weeks old. The young raccoons begin to follow their mother on foraging trips. The physical capability and size allows them to climb trees and navigate their environment under the protective watch of the female.
Distinguishing Juveniles from Adults
After the rapid growth phase, the young raccoon is considered a juvenile, and it continues to grow until it reaches full adult maturity around one year of age. Juveniles remain with their mother for an extended period, often staying with her through their first winter until the following spring. When they disperse from the family unit at around 10 to 12 months old, they will have reached a size of approximately three to five pounds.
This size, however, is substantially smaller than a fully mature adult raccoon. Adult raccoons exhibit significant size variation based on geography and food availability, but typically weigh between 11 and 26 pounds, with some individuals reaching much higher weights. Their body length, not including the tail, ranges from 16 to 28 inches. Adult males generally outweigh females by 15 to 20 percent.
Distinguishing a large juvenile from a smaller adult can be challenging without a weight measurement. A juvenile’s coat is often thinner and silkier than the dense, insulating coat of a mature adult. While an independent juvenile may appear fully grown, it is still smaller and less robust than a seasoned adult.
If the kit is visibly injured, cold, or has its eyes still closed, it requires immediate intervention. Contacting a local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control is the proper course of action, as they can accurately assess the kit’s age and needs. It is important to avoid feeding the animal, as improper formula or food can cause severe harm to a young raccoon.