Kits Playing

Miss Kitty's kits being playful, bouncy little things! Since Kitty (the momma raccoon) has known me just about all her life, she's somewhat trusting when it comes to being close to her babies.

[DISCLAIMER: It is NOT recommended for anyone to get too close to wildlife - especially babies - unless the momma really trusts you. Raccoons can be very vicious if they feel threatened themselves or feel like their young are in danger. I've always let THEM make the first move and decide how close we get and I'm always respectful of their space, which is one reason they're as trusting of me as they are.]

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• raccoons
• kits
• babies
• wildlife

[OneLaBonBon]

I love to watch them eat with their little hands. My brood is getting fussy. The other night I put bread out instead of the cat kibble and they turned their noses up.

KJ, I live in MN. Will they be out looking for food all winter? I had read somewhere that they hibernate.

[KJStroud]

Your winters are much colder than ours, so your raccoons probably go through "torpor". I have a link I'll post here.

As we get closer to winter, the raccoons will start eating like pigs to build up the body fat they'll need during those really cold nights! Who knows... maybe they'll like the bread then. :)

[KJStroud]

Darn it... looks like I can't post a link. So... do a Google search on "raccoon torpor" and you'll find tons of info! :)

[OneLaBonBon]

Sweet video! I started feeding a lone old guy. Next. . . . a mom and four kits showed up. Last night i had 11 of them in the front yard! Yikes! Word must have spread that there are good eats to be found at Bon Bon Acres! I feed them cat food and they just love it.

[KJStroud]

Your "backyard buffet" must have made the "Critter Times" newsletters!! It's amazing how word can spread, isn't it!! :)

[kirkd13]

That's a really cool video, those guys are awful cute. But a severed hand hopping around in my back yard would really freak me out.

[KJStroud]

Well, "Thing" had to have somewhere to go after "The Adams Family" was wrapped up! :) At least he's cheap to feed! LOL!

[OneLaBonBon]

Thanks for the info, KJ! I will study further as I need to know how to handle winter here. I also feed the birds and have 27 assorted feeders. Unfortunately I have to bring them all in at night because of the little masked bandits. I got started feeding the raccoons to keep them away from the birds' food. Didn't work. Even if they aren't hungry the babes will try and knock the bird feeders down for fun. :-( Just wondered if I will have to bring in bird feeders all winter.