Do Raccoons Stay In One Place Forever? Raccoons Habitat

Do raccoons stay in one place forever, or eventually leave? This is one of the questions plaguing the minds of so many homeowners, who seem to have lost a part of their homes to raccoons. 

For those homeowners and raccoon lovers that are wondering if their favorite wild mammals will leave and never return. This article has answered all your questions about the habitats of raccoons. So keep reading to find out the answers to all your questions.  

When raccoons find a good place with a stable source of food, they tend to stay longer there. All they have to do is to make multiple nests close to their source of food and change nests to keep predators away or when one of their nests gets destroyed. With a stable food supply, do raccoons stay in one place or eventually leave? 

Yes, they eventually leave, but only temporarily. On the other hand, you can make them leave your environment if they are sources of worry for you. 

The only reason why a raccoon would want to stay in a place for long is because it’s getting a constant supply of food. So, take away its source of food and it will eventually leave your environment in search of another environment with the promise of a stable food supply. 

How Long Do Raccoons Stay in One Place?

Since the answer to the question do raccoons stay in one place or eventually leave is that they are likely going to stay if the ‘pasture is greener’ for them there. How long do raccoons stay in one place with a stable food supply?

Raccoons are known to change their dens every day, or every few days. Since they make numerous dens at a point, they can change their dens as they please. This helps to keep them safe as they do not give any of their enemies a permanent place to find them.

So, a raccoon can only stay in one particular den for a maximum of a few days before moving to another of its den in the same environment.  

But, a nursing mother raccoon will stay in one den for weeks before changing its den. This is because when baby raccoons are born, they would need to stay in the den for at least 8 weeks before moving. So the mother raccoon will have to stay around to cater to its babies till they are old enough to move with her to another den. 

Moreover, they can’t stay in one den for too long because moving frequently will enable them to forage successfully. As they are more likely to find food when they move around at night.

Will Raccoons Come Back If You Scare Them?

Yes, a raccoon will always come back to a place it finds food, even after scaring it away. And if any raccoon has ever given birth in your home, then you should prepare your mind to welcome another pregnant raccoon the next season. 

This is because raccoons tend to maintain their ‘family tradition’ of giving birth in the same den. After spending their first 8 weeks in a particular den, they would return to the same den as pregnant adult raccoons for their babies to do the same.

If the den is still in good shape, the raccoon will give birth there and nurse its babies for their first 8 to 9 weeks 

Will Raccoons Go Away on Their Own?

Yes, raccoons will eventually leave on their own even if you do not scare them away. Because moving increases their chances of surviving. 

But they will eventually return to their old nests or dens if they are still available. Raccoons are persistent, and this is one of the characteristics that help them to survive. 

How Long Will Raccoons Stay in Your Attic?

Raccoons can stay in your attic for a day or a few days, depending on what is attracting the raccoon to your attic. But if you discover that the raccoon has given birth in your attic, then just prepare your mind to house them for about 9 weeks or less.

Also, don’t be surprised when you find the next generation of raccoons that gave birth in your attic wanting to use your attic again the next breeding season. 

Do Mom And Dad Raccoon Stay Together?

No, mom and dad raccoons do not stay together. This is because, unlike other animals that can mate for life, male raccoons usually move on with their lives after mating. Leaving the female raccoon to birth the kits and take care of them till they can live on their own. 

A family of raccoons is usually made up of a mother raccoon and her litter of about two or more baby raccoons. 

Is It Illegal To Relocate Raccoons?

It all depends on where you live because some states have banned traveling with raccoons, to avoid the spread of diseases they harbor. Such as rabies. 

So long as the laws in your state do not forbid relocating raccoons, you can relocate them. If the goal is to keep the raccoon away from your properties, then you have to take it as far as 5 miles away from your properties. Raccoons are good navigators, so they will most likely find their way back to their old homes if not taken far enough. 

Do Raccoons Migrate Or Hibernate?

Raccoons do not migrate or hibernate like other animals. They can move around to look for food, up to 1 mile away from their dens but that’s all.

Do Raccoons Stay In One Place, Or Eventually Leave During The Winter?

When real hibernators hibernate, they spend their winter periods in their dens sleeping. During the summer and spring seasons, they eat as much as they can and store up body fats which they use during the winter. 

As the winter approaches, you will likely see raccoons looking for warmer dens to nest for the winter. Sometimes, hunger can cause a raccoon to leave its den in search of food during winter. 

Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Raccoons 

This does not mean killing the poor little mammals. No, there are several ways to ensure that raccoons do not disturb your home, and neither will the next generation continue their ‘family tradition’ in your home.

The fastest way to get rid of raccoons permanently is to follow these steps;

Make The Environment Unconducive For Raccoons: Even though they are used to adapting to several conditions, you can ensure that they do not adapt to the condition of your home by making your home smell awful for them. You can achieve this by using things like garlic, onions, salts, hot chili peppers, and peppermint to chase them. Raccoons hate the smell of any of these things, making them your best bet when you want to make your home unconducive for raccoons.

Remove Their Nests: If you leave their nest untouched, the next generation will return there. To avoid having to deal with so many generations of raccoons, remove their dens from your home. If it is any part of your home that you cannot get rid of, like your attic, then block off all entrances into it. They will eventually look for another place to nest when they cannot access their old nest. 

Make Them Starve: No animal enjoys the idea of starving in a place. So the moment you remove the raccoon’s source of food, it will be forced to leave your environment. But know that when you return their source of food, these persistent mammals will be back.

So do raccoons stay in one place, or they eventually leave? They leave but you don’t have to wait for them to leave. You can force them to leave and never return to your home, when you follow the steps we have highlighted above.