Racoons - Renesting and Reuniting
Baby mammals are most successful when raised by their mother in the wild. The mother will provide them with the best sources of nutrition and teach them how to find food and recognize and avoid potential threats. This makes baby animals raised in the wild more adaptable and prepared to survive. For these reasons, we urge people who find baby animals to evaluate the situation and attempt to renest or reunite babies with their mothers before bringing them into Project Wildlife for care.
Very young mammals are often left alone while their mother looks for food and to avoid attracting other animals to the nest or den site. If you find a disturbed nest or a baby mammal without mom, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the baby has been abandoned or orphaned. We always assume the mother is alive and caring for their babies unless proven otherwise.
If you moved a baby, found a single baby or disturbed a nest, please use this resource to attempt to reunite them with their mother and monitor their health unless the mom is found deceased.
Background Information
Raccoons typically make their dens in hollow trees, rocky riverbank crevices or in the ground. In cities and neighborhoods, raccoons may make their dens in attics, chimneys or abandoned buildings. Raccoon kits (babies) will stay in their den until they are weaned from their mother’s milk at approximately 8 to 10 weeks old. Once weaned, kits will leave the den and begin to learn how to find food under the guidance of their mother. Raccoons have multiple den sites, so if their den is damaged or a baby falls, mom may just need time to move her babies. Please note that, contrary to popular belief, mom won’t abandon her babies simply because you touched them. However, she will not return if you are too close to the baby or den since humans are seen as threats.
Animal Age
Before you begin the renesting or reuniting effort, please use the information below to confirm the age of the animal you found. Once confirmed, follow the renesting instructions based on the animal’s age.
Infant
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Juvenile
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Health Check
Renest or reunite healthy babies only. Mom won’t return for a sick baby or be able to help them recover.
Check for the following:
- Significant injury (the animal has broken bones, deep cuts, or is non-responsive, gasping, limp, bleeding, etc.)
- Signs of illness (falling over, discharge from eyes or nose, crusty eyes)
- Seen attacked by a pet (or other animal)
- Fleas or ticks all over their body
- Ant, fly or maggot infestation on the baby or in the den
We recommend bringing any baby with these symptoms to Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation (See Box 2). Minor scratches or bruises are not cause for concern unless known to be caused by a cat attack. If the baby does not have any of these symptoms and seems healthy, begin the renesting process. If the baby is cold to the touch, warm them before the renesting process (See Box 1).
Box 1: Heat Sources
Instant Hand Warmers
Hand warmers like HotHands® or similar products can serve as a heat source and last about 5 hours.
Rice Sock
You can create a DIY heat source by filling a sock with uncooked rice and microwaving it until warm. This will last for 1-2 hours.
- Check that heat source won't burn baby.
- Make sure baby has space to move away form heat source.
Timeline
Renest or reunite raccoons at dawn, dusk or after sunset. Raccoons are most active at night, and mom may not feel safe moving her babies during daylight hours. If you picked up and kept a raccoon for 24 hours or longer already AND no other babies remain outside, we recommend bringing the baby into Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation (See Box 2).
Renesting and Monitoring Netslings
- Make a holding container. Choose a container that is big enough to keep the baby from climbing or falling out, such as a storage bin or cardboard box. Line with a towel and poke drainage holes in the bottom. Cover half of the opening with a lid or cardboard. Remember, the mother needs to be able to fit in the container to retrieve her baby! If the baby is old enough to climb out of the container, place them in a safe location near the found location/den site and cover them in an upside-down laundry basket with a 5-pound weight on top. The mom will be able to lift the basket or move the weight enough to retrieve the baby.
- Return to where you found the baby and set the container close by, ideally up off the ground and secured in a nearby tree, bushes, etc. The most important thing is to return the baby close to the original location. If possible, play a baby raccoon distress call (from YouTube) a few times after placing the baby in the container, and then leave the area. Mom may be too scared to approach if people are nearby or may become aggressive to protect her baby.
- Recheck the holding container in 12 hours. For example, if you attempt to reunite at dawn, check at dusk. If you attempt to reunite at dusk, check at dawn the next day.
- If the baby is still there and is still in good condition, you can give more time for the mom to come back.
If the baby is not retrieved within 24 hours or their condition is worsening, we recommend bringing the baby to Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation (See Box 2).
Reuniting Juveniles
- Return or leave the baby at the location where they were found. At this age, they are starting to move around their environment and begin traveling with mom. Depending on their age, mom may “stash” her kits somewhere safe while she looks for food and travels. Juveniles do not need containment or supplemental heat for reunification attempts.
- Monitor the baby for 24 hours. Juvenile raccoons will either return to their den on their own or move to a new location with their mother. Make sure you leave the baby where they are (or return them to where found) for a full 24 hours, including overnight. Leave the area as mom may not feel safe returning while you are present. Intervene early if the baby gets weaker or they become more vocal.
If the baby is not retrieved within 24 hours or their condition is worsening, we recommend bringing them to Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation (See Box 2).
Box 2: Project Wildlife Drop-Off and Contact Information
You can drop off confirmed orphans during our admission hours: seven days a week, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (excluding major holidays).
Project Wildlife
Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center
5433 Gaines St.
San Diego, CA 92110
619-299-7012
Project Wildlife
Ramona Wildlife Center
18740 Highland Valley Rd.
Ramona, CA 92065
619-299-7012
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