But sometimes even pet raccoons have to deal with a high mortality rate. In metropolitan areas, natural predators may be entirely absent. Distemper is a virus that often attacks raccoons. In the United States, the virus lives primarily in wild bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes; it sometimes is found in other animals as well, such as wolves, coyotes, or ferrets. One litter may contain between three and five young. These native mammals prefer to live in areas with plentiful tree cover near a source of water. Raccoons from warm corners of the world weigh up to 2-4 (kg). Northern raccoons gain weight under 5-7 (kg). and have it relocate to its eviroment. ... call a Professional to trap it with a live trap. Lifespan/Longevity: Raccoons have been known to live a maximum of 16 years in the wild. Small animals such as hamsters, squirrels, mice, and rabbits typically do not carry the virus. Raccoons do not restrict themselves to any specific habitat. Some raccoons can live up to 5 or 6 years. Looking at things from a human point of view, you may quickly assume that raccoons are sturdy animals that can easily survive in any environment. How Do Raccoons Adapt During Winter? Raccoons make tasty meals for several predators. Diseases. The most common cause of health-related raccoon death in North America is distemper. If a raccoon who dies of starvation is a mother with baby raccoons in the litter, her newborn raccoons are now doomed to face the same fate. How long do raccoons live ? Reply. In fact, the first night I set my trap out I caught 2 in the trap at one time! ... risks of the symptoms mentioned above and always make an effort to prevent raccoons and other wildlife from trying to live on your property. Diet: The raccoon is an omnivorous and opportunistic eater, with its diet determined heavily by its environment. They do not hibernate but do become inactive during severe winter weather. Trapping and removing them will do nothing for long-term control, as the newly vacant niche will quickly be filled by raccoons from surrounding areas. The difficulties of dealing with a pet raccoon are often overwhelming for many owners. Do Raccoons Live in Trees? Roughly 50-70% of their populations consist of animals under a year old. That's pretty rare, but it just shows how well a simple live trap will work. winter except for during severe weather when they stay in their. Did you know? As is true for any wildlife, a raccoon living in the wild has to fight every day to find a suitable meal, escape predators and avoid other dangers. 7. How Long Do Raccoons Live? Many of their natural predators have been exterminated in parts of the U.S. As a result, the raccoon’s environment has become a lot safer. To Diet Page Q: How long will a pet 'coon live? Even though the list of predators is not short, this is not the leading cause of death among raccoons. Depending on where they live, raccoons can also become the victim of American black bears, cougars, alligators and bald and golden eagles. For instance, in areas with a high traffic volume, a significant number of raccoons are hit by cars. During breeding season and harsh winter conditions, however, they will opt to remain hunkered down in their den for more extended stays. Raccoons usually have one litter per year, which is usually born in late spring or early summer. For a raccoon, climbing up trees is a piece of cake since they are one of the best climbers. How long do Raccoons live as a pet? The peculiarity of the device of the raccoon’s rear legs is that it has very moving feet that can rotate 180 degrees, so that it very cleverly climbs trees at any height, and can also descend from the tree with its head forward, which only a few types do Animals. While raccoons don’t hibernate, those that live in cold climates sleep for long … They are really intelligent, and quite passive when they feel safe. Second, don't leave the animal in the cage for too long - this is a stressful time and the animal becomes dehydrated. Of course not, that is a stereo-type. As a group, a mother and her baby raccoons are called a nursery.For the first two months of their lives, babies live in their den and are weened at 7 to 16 weeks. This causes many questions about the raccoon lifespan. When walking, the raccoon rests on one finger, while standing – on the entire sole, so their traces remotely resemble the imprint of a human hand. Believe it or not, humans are by far the leading cause of death for raccoons. In rural, or sparsely populated areas, you may see evidence of raccoon… Try to imagine what he can do during his “short” 2–3 year lifespan. Such a large number of them is due to the fact that these animals have ceased to hunt, and raccoons have lost their fear of people. in some cases. Their heart rates slow down, and their body temperatures drop. The primary causes of death are humans (hunting, trapping, cars) and malnutrition. Maybe wet food, like orange slices, will do. Keep in mind that raccoons live up to 20 years, therefore, this is a long-term commitment. and take shelter in dens or hollow trees. So how long do they live and do their reproductive habits have anything to do with their high numbers today? How long do Raccoons live as a pet? In this article, we will consider the lifespan of the so-called “Common Raccoon,” the species living in the vast majority of the U.S. The life span of raccoons in the wild is estimated at three to five years. Raccoon is a very viable animal. It does not sound like a long life, does it? At 12 weeks, they will start to roam away from their mothers for whole nights at a time, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. how long can a raccoon live without food or water? Raccoons with distemper may move slowly and may stumble as they walk. Often the disease becomes an epidemic, killing most of the raccoon population in the area. Knowing how long raccoons live will help you learn how to peacefully be neighbors with this wildlife. When the winter is exceptionally cold and long, the critters are at a high risk of death. The typical raccoon habitat varies from area to area and it affects the raccoon lifespan. Where Do Raccoons Live - Overall If they survive their youth, raccoons may live an average of 5 years in the wild. Raccoon is a very viable animal. Raccoons are excellent climbers, making tree dens an optimal location. ASAP, he may cause further damage to duct work. Raccoons can grow up to 27 inches in size, weighing nearly 40 lbs. The way we see it, it's their woods and we are just visitors. Don't bother with food, it's not interested in eating. But it is the raccoons exceptional ability to adapt that has seen them grow in numbers today and not be threatened by rapid urbanization. But if a raccoon can make it through his first year, his odds of dying drop significantly. In reality, the raccoon’s world is a tough one, and living to old age is not as easy as you may imagine. In fact, the life of a raccoon is arduous from the very beginning. Life span: In the wild, a raccoon has a life expectancy of about 2 to 3 years, but in captivity a raccoon can live up to 20 years. They lose their fear of humans, appear blind and confused and may wander aimlessly and may become aggressive if cornered. Raccoon Habit #6 Raccoons do not really hibernate. Raccoons are not conventional pets, and many vets do not have the knowledge necessary for treating them. Once infected, the raccoon will experience respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, and his nervous system will break down as it is attacked by the virus. Relocating raccoons—even to wild or wooded areas—is illegal in many places and will likely result in their death. A captive animal was recorded living for 21 years. Raccoons are awesome. Not only is giving a raccoon proper medical care expensive, but finding a vet who knows how to treat raccoons is not an easy task. In particular, there are four factors that play a significant role in determining how long raccoons live: weather, diseases, natural predators, and human intervention. Only half of newborn raccoons survive their first year of life. Raccoons are found across the United States, in both urban and rural settings. Every year, hunting, trapping, poisoning and other human activities shorten the lifespans of many raccoons. These critters are considered pests and real threats. Baylisascaris procyonis are long worms which can range from 15-20 cm in length when fully grown and when are in a host, can cause damage to organs and muscle. The raccoon world, like the human one, is not a fair world. In reality, it is exactly the other way around. You should catch a nuisance raccoon the first night. The combination of these factors limits the average raccoon lifespan in the wild to 2–3 years. A mucus discharge will often be present around the eyes and nose and may be accompanied by coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, seizures or chewing fits. You may see raccoons if you live in out in the country or in a forested area, but metropolitan areas are often visited or inhabited by these animals too. Raccoon Infestation: They Get Active in the Spring, Your Garden– Plentiful, Beautiful, & Raccoon Free [Guide]. Animals that hibernate go into a deep sleep that can last for most of the winter. Raccoons do not hibernate in winter but stay in their home range. Life span: In the wild, a raccoon has a life expectancy of about 2 to 3 years, but in captivity a raccoon can live up to 20 years. However, raccoons have adapted to live in a variety of urban and suburban settings as well. Once again, human behavior is the decisive factor. Distemper leaves a raccoon with only a tiny chance of survival, and young raccoons are the most vulnerable to the virus. Dealing with the danger for two to three years is not a risk you want to take. If the raccoon finds a way to enter your house, he can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage in as little as two weeks. A captive animal was recorded living for 21 years. Raccoon Habitat. Where Do Raccoons Live in Canada. We've never had a problem with any of them. If raccoons are regularly visiting your house, you should take immediate action to keep them away. They inhabit not only suburbs, but also large cities. Adults live in loose knit communities of 4 - 5 raccoons for better protection against predators. We have cats, and all of the critters just regard each other and get along. Mating season for raccoons falls generally anytime between January and June. Taking care of a pet raccoon is not like raising a dog or a cat. Raccoon habitats. Quite an impressive figure when you compare it to how long a raccoon typically lives in the wild! In their homeland, in America, raccoon raccoons have already become quite common. Let us first get the primary fact out of the way. Infected raccoons can die, fight off the disease by developing antibodies, or live their entire lives as carriers of the disease. A: A well balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean chicken and fish, but very little red meat. Do raccoons live in trees? In fact, two of our cats have started eating their food with their paws - we believe they learned it from Merry! Unfortunately, once raised in captivity, a raccoon has almost no chance of surviving in the wild. Weather. Cold winters can take an enormous toll on raccoons. The average lifespan of a raccoon is 15 years on average, however, under natural conditions, they live no more than 4-5 years. These animals are way too smart to be human pets. There's one we call "Merry" that seems to hang with the cats sometimes. | It is really hard to know for sure as there are a lot of raccoons! Understanding how long raccoons live is important if you have to deal with the critters. These raccoons are living in luxury, and comfort comes with an additional benefit. Besides habitat, raccoon lifespan also depends on which raccoon species they are. There is a strain of rabies called Raccoon Rabies, and it is carried mainly by raccoons. The wrong medical treatment or no treatment at all can quickly kill a raccoon. A raccoon can die from any number of causes, including: Predators – Raccoons living in the wild may fall victim to a few natural predators, including cougars, bobcats and coyotes. Quite a few get distemper. As you can see, even though a pet raccoon may enjoy several privileges, the length of his lifespan is often determined by the choices of his owner. The average for raccoons is considered to be the weight of 3-12 (kg). Raccoons may live up to 16 years in the wild, but most don’t make it past their second year. All Rights Reserved. A raccoon lifespan varies considerably depending on where they live, weather conditions and, most important, if they live in the wild or in captivity. While their activities are defined by the seasons, raccoons only live three to five years in most cases. Predators are still a danger for nearly every wild raccoon, but they are not the primary cause of death. Do Raccoons Live in Trees? Wolves, coyotes, lynxes, alligators and owls hunt wolves, and snakes can attack the young. Unrelated males often form loose male social groups to maintain their position against foreign males during the mating season—or against other potential invaders. How long do Raccoons live in captivity? The raccoon population is growing all across the U.S., and every year thousands of people have to deal with these critters. Your email address will not be published. To Outdoors page Q: What should raccoons eat? Raccoons can live as long as 12 years in the wild. His propensity for biting starts to kick in, and episodes of aggressiveness may occur. Such a gr… He rarely gets sick, is not particularly susceptible to infections, and also knows how to defend himself well against ill-wishers. Q: What do raccoons eat? In Canada, raccoons live throughout the country, except Labrador and Newfoundland. There have been several reports of raccoons living up to 17 years in captivity and under human care. After a while, they are confronted with the many challenges of having a pet raccoon. It is a challenging task that not many people are ready to undergo. They are very agile climbers. To azn m0n comment: The typical raccoon habitat varies from area to area and it affects the raccoon lifespan. Raccoons are much more likely to enter a dark place, as opposed to a trap that's out in the open. Once the raccoon is grown, he is not as cute as he was as a baby. Bobcats and coyotes are at the top of the raccoon’s enemy list. Are you ready to endure all that for up to 20 years? A: Everything, after all, we're omnivores. They are active all. This is not the proper or humane way to get rid of raccoons, but unfortunately it happens quite frequently. These are all life-threatening endeavors. Copyright 2018 Get Raccoons Out. Females have one to seven offspring after a gestation period of 60 to 73 days. It requires time, patience, self-sacrifice, money and a certain measure of risk. As you will learn, the difference in raccoon lifespan between wild and pet raccoons is sizable, with the latter enjoying undeniable privileges. How long do they live? Human intervention. A considerable portion of the American population hates raccoons. Studies in the 1990s by the ethologists Stanley D. Gehrt and Ulf Hohmann suggest that raccoons engage in sex-specific social behaviors and are not typically solitary, as was previously thought. Other times, the killing of a raccoon is totally intentional and happens either out of hatred or in an attempt to get the raccoon out of the house. We live in the mountains and have many raccoons visit our property, along with opossum, skunks, deer and foxes. But how long do raccoons live in captivity? Enemies should pay special attention, because how many raccoons live, directly related to them. Tamed raccoons will find it difficult to go back into the wild after being housed and cared for as pets. As a quick fix to the problem, some raccoon owners decide to abandon their animals. Where do raccoons live in winter ? Required fields are marked *, October 31, 2019 It was first noted in the 1940's. Looking at things from a raccoon’s point of view, we are the real threat and our behavior has a substantial impact on how long raccoons live. Video of the Day One rare case of a pet raccoon reaching 75 lbs! Baby raccoons are called kits or cubs and are usually born in the early summer. What if a raccoon lives in captivity with somebody providing him a good den, delicious meals at regular intervals and a warm room during the coldest winter days? Young raccoons are even hunted by great horned owls. There's enough food in the wild here, with the creek, and plenty of downed trees, rock formations, and hollowed out logs in the woods, that it is critter haven. Learn more: Are Raccoons Rodents? However, some raccoons are kept at zoos, environmental centers or even as pets (though this isn’t recommended). Related females often live in a so-called "fission-fusion society"; that is, they share a common area and occasionally meet at feeding or resting grounds. Communication: Raccoons communicate with each other using over 200 different sounds and 12-15 different calls. Wiki User October 19, 2015 9:09PM. If a home is elevated, with a crawl space underneath, and there's an easy opening, it's an open invitation for raccoons, cats, opossums, and other animals to live under there, just like under a deck or shed. A raccoon may live in a tree one night and relocate to a cozy spot in your attic the next night. Diet: The raccoon is an omnivorous and opportunistic eater, with its diet determined heavily by its environment. Most females begin reproducing around the age of one. Natural predators. This is a danger common to all wildlife. Keep reading to find out. 20 years. Sure, raccoons are sort of cute, but know this: If it feels threatened, a raccoon can be dangerous, particularly if it’s carrying a disease (e.g., rabies). www.answers.com. A raccoon’s lifespan depends on whether it lives in the wild or in captivity. The lifespan of a raccoon living in captivity may extend to 20 years. A high grade, low ash dog food can be substituted for the chicken/fish component. There have even been reports of raccoons that lived up to 16 years, but that is definitely the exception. You can give it water through a hose if it's been trapped for a while. Wild raccoons have a life expectancy of about two to three years. Much longer as pets but they do not make good pets! 4 Factors That Affect How Long Raccoons Live In The Wild. Raccoon droppings left in your garden or on your deck are highly hazardous to human health. act right away. As former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said: “Knowledge is power, information is liberating.” This is an absolute truth — even when it comes to raccoons. Distemper is more likely to strike large raccoon communities. During these periods food is scarce, and a raccoon may suffer starvation and die. So, where do raccoons live during the day? A captive raccoon can live for more than 20 years. There have even been reports of raccoons that lived up to 16 years, but that is definitely the exception. Scientific investigation has not given any underlying reason for each response. The key here is that females will naturally spend a lot more of her time with other raccoons than males when we are comparing adults. This is a high death rate that negatively affects the average raccoon lifespan figure. Some actually make it until 5 in the wild! Last but not least, think of the ethical side of housing a raccoon. Social Interaction: Raccoons are independent after 12-14 months of age. What do raccoons die from? In the coldest regions it is quite possible to meet a raccoon and under 9-12 (kg) weight. and wires in the attic, if he dies it will be a lot worse. Even when a raccoon finds a suitable, warm den, perhaps sharing it with other animals to generate more heat, finding a meal during a harsh winter is still a real challenge. Many people decide to adopt a pet raccoon without pondering the pros and cons of raising and taking care of such an animal. Raccoons live an average of 5 years in the wild. With time, as more and more area is cleared, the range of these mammals expand toward the north. Even though a raccoon’s lifespan in the wild is pretty short, you shouldn’t regard raccoons as a temporary problem. June 10, 2017 June 10, 2017 admintag The average lifespan of a raccoon is 15 years on average, however, under natural conditions, they live no more than 4-5 years. Their role within the food chain helps to prevent overpopulation. Some raccoons can live up to 5 or 6 years. With nobody taking care of them, they will die either of cold or starvation. I've seen raccoons living in the crawlspace under a house many times. They can quickly climb up trees to make dens inside abandoned hollows or … However, that doesnt mean you are likely to see them, as they are most active at night. 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