February is not just the month that humans express their love for each other. Cincinnati raccoons and other wildlife in our area are in peak mating season throughout the month of February and into March.

Raccoons are solitary animals, except during the breeding season, which occurs from late January to early March. During this time, male raccoons, also known as boars, will roam in search of females, or sows.

When a male and female raccoon meet, they may engage in a brief period of courtship, which may include vocalizations and physical interactions. Mating can occur multiple times between a male and female, and a sow may mate with multiple boars.

After mating, the female will carry the fertilized eggs for approximately 63 days before giving birth to a litter of 1 to 7 kits.

In the first few weeks of life, the kits will nurse from their mother and will begin to grow rapidly. They will start to open their eyes around 3 weeks of age and will begin to crawl and explore their surroundings. Around 6 to 8 weeks of age, the kits will start to eat solid food in addition to nursing.

At around 3 months of age, the kits will start to venture out of the den on their own, and the sow will begin to wean them. The kits will continue to grow and develop, reaching adult size at around 1 year of age. At this point, they will be fully independent and will set out on their own to establish their own territories.

It is important to note that raccoons can carry diseases such as raccoon roundworm, distemper, and rabies, so it is best to avoid contact with them and their dens. If you encounter a raccoon in your home or property where it is causing a problem, it is best to contact a wildlife control expert for assistance like Huntsman Wildlife.

*This content was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence