After birth, female raccoons leave their babies in the nest while they forage for food. She needs to look for food to help produce enough milk. After 12 weeks, the babies are old enough to roam around. They will be completely independent after 8 to 12 months.
What do baby raccoons eat?
For the first six weeks, the babies will consume their mother’s milk. As they grow, they will begin to follow their mother and will slowly get introduced to eating insects, berries, nuts, frogs, and fish.
What to do when you found an abandoned baby raccoon
Check for the following if you bump into a baby raccoon in your property.
- Is the baby cold?
- Is the head tilted?
- Did you see the dead mother?
- Is it bleeding or injured?
- Does it have abrasions?
What to do if you found an injured baby raccoon
Secure the baby raccoon in a warm, dark, cardboard box. Place a towel or t-shirt for warmth. Do not feed the raccoon, and contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
Reuniting mother and baby raccoon
Place the box where you spotted the raccoon. Leave it for an entire night for the mother. Ensure its warm throughout the night. If it stayed out for an entire night with no sign of the mother, the baby is probably orphaned. At this point consult your local wildlife rehabilitator.
Infographic Source: http://www.raccooncontrol.ca/blog/baby-raccoon/