Feeding
Natural Foods: fruits, nuts, grains, mice, rabbits, muskrat, birds, eggs, insects, crayfish, frogs, worms, acorns, corn, grapes

Formula: First three feedings re-hydrating formula (8 oz water, 1/3 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar), pedialyte or lactated ringers solution. Baby & formula must be warm before feeding. Gradually introduce formula (KMR or Fox Valley raccoon formula). Feed belly down with warmed formula until belly is full & round. Do not overfeed. Feed with a syringe and catac nipple, pet nurser nipple, human preemie nipple and then regular human baby nipple. Feed slowly to avoid aspiration (drawing formula into lungs). Stimulate after every feeding by rubbing genitals with a damp Q-tip until raccoons eliminate on their own (about when eyes open)

Weaning: Begin at 5 weeks, end at 9-14 weeks. Baby rice cereal & puppy or kitten chow soaked in water, gradually introduce apples, bananas, grapes, melons, veggies, nuts, fish and mice. Supply water in a dish. Prior to release, offer live mice, crayfish & minnows.

Maintenance diet for adults: Dry dog chow supplemented with fruit, nuts and other natural foods.
 

Breeding, Habitat & Lifespan
Mate in Jan & Feb, Males at 2 years of age, Females, 1 year
Weaned in the wild at 4 months, eating solid food at 2 months.
First litter in March or April, if first litter is lost before weaning there may be a second in July or August, 1-8 kits
63 day gestation, males do not care for young
Molt in Spring begins early March & ends at the end of May, winter coat comes in October & early November
Habitat - wooded or wetland habitat, 1-2 mile home range, nocturnal
Average lifespan up to 14 years in captivity, adult weight - male 15-18 lbs, female 12-15 lbs, temp 100-103 F
 

Vaccinations
Vaccinate for canine & feline distemper at 8, 12, & 16 weeks, Rabies at 4 months.

Release Criteria
4-6 months (4-10 pounds), by 2^nd or third week in August or Sept or Oct for late babies, acclimatized, good balance & climbing skills, fear of predators (including humans), good weather expected for several days, appropriate habitat.

Notes

• Do not raise alone if possible to unite with other orphans.
• When using a heating pad put it under half of the box or cage so the baby can move off if it gets too warm.
• Do not allow raccoons to make contact with family pets or be exposed to humans any more than necessary. If they have no fear of humans or dogs and cats their chances of survival in the wild are greatly reduced.
• A high percentage of raccoons harbor the nematode Baylisascaris Procyonis, which is deadly to many mammals. Do not put any other animals in cages that have housed raccoons. Use gloves and sanitary procedures when handling raccoons. Worm when eyes open, 3 days in a row with Nemex II or Strongid-t, then every 3 weeks until release.
• Treat cat bites and pneumonia (often caused by aspiration) with amoxicillin, head trauma with dexamethasone.
• Give mother raccoon up to two days to reclaim babies if they are found out of the nest. Place in a protected area for two to three hours at dusk, bring in at night and feed if not claimed the first night.
• Raccoons should never be kept as pets. Do not keep a healthy raccoons beyond 20 weeks of age.