Raccoons have a reputation for being mischievous and pretty smart. People know they are skilled at accessing last week’s leftovers and finding their way into the attic, but how are they at parenting? If you hear the tell-tale heavy footsteps of a raccoon above your head, be sure to contact the experts for humane raccoon removal in Hamilton. If it is a mama and her kits in residence, Skedaddle’s technicians will ensure the whole family is safely removed and reunited. While the dads are absent, the mothers are great at parenting, and they may use your attic to keep their kits safe.

Female Raccoons Are Single Mothers

Male raccoons are the love ’em and leave ’em sort of guys. From the time the female gets pregnant until the little ones leave home, she does the parenting on her own. Although she is the sole caregiver, teacher and rule enforcer, she does an excellent job raising her kits.

The Mating Season Shenanigans

January through February is prime time for males to seek out willing female partners, though the season can last through spring. Once the males are satisfied, they leave the den in search of their next conquest. The female is left to her own devices. When she becomes pregnant, the female goes in search of an appropriate space to give birth and raise her young. Often, this is in the hollow of a tree, but she may also choose your attic because it offers a dark, safe and warm environment where the kits are protected from the elements and predators.

The Whole Kit and Kaboodle

Mama raccoons give birth to anywhere from one to nine babies, though a typical litter is between three and five kits. The babies are completely helpless at birth. They are both blind and deaf, so they rely on mom for everything. You may hear crying, squealing and chattering sounds from your attic when there are baby kits in residence.

During the few months of life, Mama must leave the nest to forage for enough food to nourish herself and nurse her offspring. Going out to eat is the only reason she leaves her babies. After two to four months, the kits are weaned and ready to start venturing out with mom to learn the raccoon ropes. The mother is infinitely patient with her little ones and takes care to teach them all they need to know about the world around them.

The Empty Nesters

The mother keeps her young with her until they are ready to strike out on their own. Typically, the entire family dens together for the juveniles’ first winter. Females become sexually mature at 11 months but stick with mom for the first year. Males don’t become sexually mature until they are two years old. However, like the females, they also leave the security of mom’s den after a year. When the nest is empty, the mama raccoon is ready to start the process all over again.

Female Raccoons Are Superheroes to Their Young

A mama raccoon is a fierce protector. She will do anything in her power to keep her little ones safe from harm. If she chooses your attic or chimney for her nest, she will not take kindly to your attempts to come near or remove her kits. If you see a mother with her kits, whether it is in your attic or out foraging, do not attempt to go near them, no matter how irresistibly cute the babies are! Mama will defend her offspring from any threat, real or perceived. You do not want to be on the bad side of a mama raccoon, whose sharp claws and teeth can inflict a lot of damage.

Humane Raccoon Removal in Hamilton

If you discover a raccoon family in your attic, contact the experts at Skedaddle for humane wildlife removal. We’ll make sure the entire family is safely removed and reunited, giving the kits the best chance for survival.