As winter approaches and temperatures start to drop, you might find yourself curious about how this affects animals like raccoons.
During this time, raccoons adapt by shifting their activity patterns, including their diet. This helps them endure the colder months. So you might be wondering - do raccoons hibernate? And if not, how do we explain the shift in their activity?
Let’s find out.
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Content:
Do Raccoons Hibernate
While winter is drawing near, raccoons are undergoing significant changes. They are becoming more active at dawn and dusk rather than just at night, they’re increasingly foraging for foods that are high in fat, and they’re actively searching for shelters during this time too. But what do all of these changes mean? Are they preparing for hibernation? Do raccoons hibernate in the winter the way bears, ground squirrels, and other animals do?
Technically speaking, raccoons don’t hibernate. However, they enter a state called torpor, which closely resembles hibernation. But what’s the difference?
Read more: Is it Possible to Keep a Raccoon as a Pet?
Hibernation vs. Torpor
Hibernation
Hibernation is a prolonged and deep state of dormancy that some animals, such as ground squirrels, bears, and hedgehogs, enter during winter. They experience major physiological changes, including a significantly reduced heart rate and body temperature at a stable rate (with a low metabolic rate of 1-2% of their normal rate when active), to conserve energy and endure harsh conditions. This state of reduced responsiveness to external stimuli can last for weeks or months, varying by species and environment. Hibernation may last from several weeks to five months.
Torpor
Torpor, on the other hand, is a short-term or more temporary state of dormancy that helps animals conserve energy during winter. Their metabolism drops and bodily functions like heart rate and temperature decrease as well. But unlike hibernation, torpor is more flexible, allowing animals to wake up and adapt to environmental changes more regularly and when needed while enduring extreme cold and food shortages.
Why Raccoons Enter a State of Torpor During Winter
Raccoons enter torpor to conserve energy during winter when there is a shortage of food as temperatures drop. This state slows their metabolism, allowing them to survive with less food. Although more sluggish and mostly sleeping during this time, raccoons still need to regularly eat and drink. Unlike true hibernators, they don’t experience extreme metabolic slowdowns. Instead, they may wake during the parts of the day with the highest temperatures to search for rich and dense foods, helping them manage through the winter months.
If you see a raccoon foraging during the day during winter, there is no cause for alarm, says Ohio Wildlife Center Assistant Executive Director Stormy Gibson. She says that raccoons take advantage of the warmer temperatures during the day to forage for food and drink during colder months and go into a state of torpor where they sleep for days. She also mentions that since raccoons are adaptable, and have been accustomed to living near people, they may see neighborhoods as potential food sources.
In a Reddit thread, the Reddit user shared that raccoons can sleep for up to a month without the need to eat. They store an extra layer of fat during autumn (adding ⅓ of their total weight). This provides them with insulation and a heavy coat to help them survive the winters.
Where Do Raccoons Stay During Winter
Raccoons, though active year-round, enter torpor in winter, leading to fewer sightings. In colder regions, they accumulate body fat in spring and summer, allowing them to sleep in their dens for weeks in winter. You might find several raccoons sharing a den, and since they avoid moving during cold weather, they may settle in attics or similar warm spaces.
Because raccoons may make their way in attics during wintertime, devices such as the Petcube Cam may come in handy. Apart from using it to monitor your pets, you can also use it to prevent raccoons from settling in your attic. Remember to be considerate, however, especially if you find kits there. If possible, wait a little ‘til the kits are mature, and they start to go out to forage for food. With its features including a 1080p full HD video, 110° wide-angle view, and 8x zoom, the Petcube Cam allows you to detect where they enter and exit. When all of them have left, you can then seal off these areas to prevent wild animals from entering. If you need help, you can call wildlife removal services for assistance.
Read more: What Do Raccoons Eat? You'll Be Surprised!
How Long Do Raccoons Hibernate
As was mentioned earlier, raccoons do not hibernate but enter into a similar but more short-term state called torpor. Unlike hibernation which lasts for several weeks and months, torpor is short-term so it may go for only a few days or weeks at a time.
Conclusion
Raccoons do not hibernate in the classic sense. However, they do enter into a state of torpor during winter to help them conserve energy. This ability to be able to adjust their metabolism demonstrates their remarkable adaptability and resourcefulness.
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