Quick answers
| Question | Answer | Scope | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do they hibernate? | No. They hole up in dens in cold weather, but their heart rate and body temperature do not drop, so it is not true hibernation. | Raccoons, Wisconsin extension guide | University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension | |
| What they eat | Berries, nuts, seeds, insects, birds and their eggs, fish, frogs, snakes and more. | Raccoons; Missouri National Recreational River (Nebraska and South Dakota) | NPS, Missouri National Recreational River | |
| How long pregnancy lasts | About 63 days. | Raccoons, Wisconsin extension guide | University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension | |
| How big they get | Up to three feet long and 30 pounds; some males reach 40 pounds. | Raccoons; Civil War Defenses of Washington (Washington, D.C.) | NPS, Civil War Defenses of Washington | |
| How long they live | 2 to 3 years on average. | Raccoons; Gulf Islands National Seashore (Florida and Mississippi) | NPS, Gulf Islands National Seashore | |
| Where they live | Wooded areas near water, but they adapt well and also live in suburbs and cities. | Raccoons; Civil War Defenses of Washington (Washington, D.C.) | NPS, Civil War Defenses of Washington | |
| What they do in winter | They can sleep for days or weeks at a time in a state called torpor, which the park calls similar to hibernation. | Raccoons; Big Thicket National Preserve (Texas) | NPS, Big Thicket National Preserve | |
| What eats raccoons | Mountain lions, coyotes and bobcats at Big Thicket; the Wisconsin guide gives coyotes as its example. | Raccoons; Big Thicket National Preserve (Texas) and Wisconsin extension guide | NPS, Big Thicket National Preserve; University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension |
In the sources’ own words
Do they hibernate?
University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, Raccoon Ecology and Damage Management (G3997-005, PDF)“Since no reduction in heart rate or body temperature accompanies winter dormancy, raccoons do not actually hibernate.”
Scope: Raccoons, Wisconsin extension guide
What they eat
National Park Service, Missouri National Recreational River, Raccoon“They'll eat berries, nuts, seeds, insects, birds and their eggs, fish, frogs, snakes, and more.”
Scope: Raccoons; Missouri National Recreational River (Nebraska and South Dakota)
How long pregnancy lasts
University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, Raccoon Ecology and Damage Management (G3997-005, PDF)“…a 63-day gestation or development period…”
Scope: Raccoons, Wisconsin extension guide
How big they get
National Park Service, Civil War Defenses of Washington, Raccoon“Adult raccoons may be up to three feet long and weigh up to 30 pounds, although some male raccoons can weigh up to 40 pounds.”
Scope: Raccoons; Civil War Defenses of Washington (Washington, D.C.)
How long they live
National Park Service, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Racoon“Average Life Span: 2-3 years…”
Scope: Raccoons; Gulf Islands National Seashore (Florida and Mississippi)
Where they live
National Park Service, Civil War Defenses of Washington, Raccoon“The raccoon lives in wooded areas near water.”
“It is very adaptable, though, and is also found in suburbs and cities.”
Scope: Raccoons; Civil War Defenses of Washington (Washington, D.C.)
What they do in winter
National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve, Raccoon“Raccoons sleep for days or weeks at a time during winter in a state called torpor which is similar to hibernation.”
Scope: Raccoons; Big Thicket National Preserve (Texas)
What eats raccoons
National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve, Raccoon“Raccoons can be eaten by mountain lions, coyotes, or bobcats.”
University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, Raccoon Ecology and Damage Management (G3997-005, PDF)“…serve as dinner for predators (i.e., coyotes)”
Scope: Raccoons; Big Thicket National Preserve (Texas) and Wisconsin extension guide
What these sources do not say
- Litter size or when babies are born. None of the pages here says.
- A full list of predators. Each page names only a few.