How long do raccoons feed their babies?

How long do raccoons feed their babies?

At eight weeks, they leave the nest with their mother and are eating solid food. By the time they are four months old, the raccoon cubs are typically weaned from their mother, although the family typically stays together well into the fall, and in many cases until the following breeding season.

Can baby raccoons eat baby formula?

The 5% “rule”: Please do not over-feed formula to baby raccoons! A good rule of thumb is to feed eyes-closed baby raccoons 5% of body weight at every feeding, with eyes-open babies comfortably taking between 5% and 7% of body weight at each meal.

When do baby raccoons start eating in the wild?

They remain in their birth den until they are about seven or eight weeks old, at which point their mother moves them to a series of alternate dens. After about eight to nine weeks of age they begin eating solid foods in the wild and by 10 weeks they are traveling with their mother.

What should I Feed my 7 week old baby raccoon?

Below is a weekly timeline for feeding baby raccoons. Birth to 7 weeks – bottle feed KMR 7 to 8 weeks – begin introducing baby cereal into formula. 9 weeks – add baby food to diet. 10 – 12 weeks – begin adding a wide variety of fruits, cooked skinless chicken, and vegetables cut into tiny pieces. 13 weeks – baby should be weaned from the bottle.

How big is a 9 week old baby raccoon?

Between 9 and 12 weeks, the kits are weaned, eating solid foods, and becoming active and more independent of their mother. At this age, the kit weighs around 950 grams or more. Male babies tend to be larger than females.

When to release a hand raised raccoon back into the wild?

Other raccoons will defer to a female with babies in feeding situations. For rehabbers, the appropriate age for releasing hand-raised baby raccoons back into the wild is 16 to 24 weeks. This of course would be subject to the season of the year and the readiness of the animal.

What do you feed a baby raccoon?

Integrate solids. When your baby raccoon’s teeth begin to emerge, it is important to start incorporating solid foods. You can begin by mixing a bit of crushed kitten food with his formula. Move on to feeding dry kitten food, cooked eggs, soft fruits, and oatmeal.

How do you care for a baby raccoon?

Put a soft t-shirt or towel for warmth. Baby raccoons will get cold even on a warm day. Keep the baby in a warm, dark and quiet location. Do not feed or give water to the baby raccoon. Instead, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

How do raccoons raise their young?

Raccoons invest months in raising their young, and the females do their best to make sure their babies are protected. While there are no guarantees that they can keep them safe, mother raccoons hide their babies in safe spots, teach them how to survive on their own and fight off would-be predators looking for an easy meal.

Where do racoons live during the day?

They live primarily in forests, but are also found in wetlands and grassy areas. During the day, raccoons hole up in dens. These dens can be found in hollow trees, rock crevices, holes in the ground, or even attics of people’s homes.