Where Mama Raccoons Give Birth

Well, at least one raccoon mama likes this towering silver maple tree in our back yard.

Last year we saw an adult raccoon poking its head out of this hole. But no babies.

I wonder how deep this crevice is. How many more cubs are waiting to make a descent?

This li'l cutie did a great job climbing down the tree's trunk. (One of three baby raccoons I spotted in the back yard this evening while watering the plants.)


From howstuffworks.com:

How Does a Mother Raccoon Care for Her Cubs?

A female raccoon can give birth to up to eight babies at once, usually in the spring. Before the babies are born, the expectant mother looks for a den high off the ground where she will give birth. An elevated den helps protect the cubs from many kinds of enemies.

OK, so where are the other 5?

Newborn cubs are both blind and deaf. They weigh about 2 1/2 ounces (71 grams) and are about 6 1/2 inches (16.5 centimeters) long. Their tails make up about one-third of their length.


The small and helpless cubs depend on their mother for food and protection. A mother raccoon cares for her cubs by nursing them with her milk. Her milk helps the cubs grow stronger. A mother raccoon also cares for her young just by lying with them. As the cubs snuggle up to her, her body gives off heat that helps keep them warm.


In Raccoon World, these cubs must be beyond the small and helpless stage as there's no sign of Mama.

Raccoon butt with snow on the mountain.