Summer Internship Week 9

July 12th, 2022

This week, a lot of our babies are finally reaching the endpoint of their journey with us: release! Our baby squirrels in pre-release enclosures are getting old enough that some of them have been released in the last few days. I think we are going to release another group of squirrels at my house. Lots of our raccoons are getting ready for release as well. The raccoons currently in our pre-release enclosure are being moved to make room for the older raccoons in the clinic to go to the outside pre-release enclosure. One of those is little 265! My favorite baby raccoon, who has survived multiple bouts of severe illness and was able to avoid catching parvo even though he was in close proximity to multiple infected raccoons. 265 must have had just enough immunity from the parvo vaccine to avoid becoming infected. Seeing him grow up healthy makes me feel just like a proud parent, and I can't wait to see him having fun in the pre-release enclosure.

I know many people aren't fond of raccoons, since they carry diseases like rabies and are known as being pest animals. I won't try to tell you that isn't true, because it is. Raccoons carry rabies (and a bunch of other diseases), and they love to raid your bird seed and trashcan and make a mess if they get into your house. However, I believe that everyone can appreciate raccoons, but raccoons should probably be appreciated at a distance. Getting to work with baby raccoons in an amazing privilege, and it is only possible because I am vaccinated for rabies and wear appropriate personal protective gear when working with them. Now for some interesting info about raccoons!

Raccoons are nocturnal mammals native to North America. Raccoons live in deciduous forests, but are also common in urban areas due to their adaptability and omnivorous nature. Raccoons will eat pretty much anything, including insects, worms, fruits, nuts, fish, frogs, bird eggs, and anything else they can scavenge. Some raccoons are known to douse their food in water before eating it.

Raccoons mostly live alone, but members of the same sex will socialize and live in loose groups. Mother raccoons are solitary when raising their young. Baby raccoons are born in litters of 2-5 kits, and are born in early spring and spend the spring and summer being raised by their mother before usually splitting up in the fall to find their own territories.

If you ever hear raccoons moving around and making noise somewhere in your house, it is very likely a group of babies! By trapping or removing a raccoon from your property, you may have orphaned a group of baby raccoons who are now calling for their mother. Kits will leave their den (in this case your house/attic) in 6-8 weeks. Please either wait for the kits to grow up and leave, or force the mother raccoon to move her babies to an alternate den other than your house! The method for forcing a raccoon to move to a different den isn't difficult, but I'd rather not spend the time detailing it here. If you ever need to do something like that, please call Centre Wildlife Care at

(814) 692-0004 for advice. Thanks for caring about innocent baby raccoons. Now back to the fun stuff!

Raccoons are so adaptable in part because of their dextrous paws and intelligence. Raccoons have such flexible paws that they have been known to open doors, jars, and bottles. Studies on raccoon intelligence found that raccoons are extremely skilled at opening locks and have a great memory and capacity for learning. At Centre Wildlife Care, it is very easy to see the intelligence of raccoons. Some of our raccoons have escaped from locking tubs, and they will always try to play with and untie shoelaces if they can get access to them. Whenever I go into the raccoons' pre-release enclosure, a few of them always make a beeline for my shoelaces.

Raccoons are very playful too, especially when it comes to water. Whenever I'm refilling the large water tub in the raccoons' pre-release enclosure with the hose, there is always one raccoon that loves to grab at the water and wave his paws in the spray. Some of the raccoons will also get the "zoomies" and start running around excitedly after getting wet or playing in the water.

Raccoons are really cool animals that need human patience and kindness because they are not well-loved. I hope learning about them has helped you appreciate them more. Just remember to appreciate at a distance.

My favorite baby raccoon!

I'm innocent, I swear!

Raccoon in pre-release enclosure

Tons of trouble!

Snoozing Squirrels