Because of its fine sense of touch, along with thin, mobile fingers, the raccoon has been known to turn on faucets, open latches, and turn knobs. They are equally at home in the city as they are in remote, forested areas. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in today s world where most animals have lost in the battle with man for habitat space. Raccoons are expert climbers and have the capability of rotating their hind feet a full 45 degrees. Indeed, they are constantly scratching for insects, manipulating objects, or searching for food.
Raccoons store fat for the winter when they become inactive during periods of cold weather.
Periods of warmer weather can cause a raccoon to stir from its den in search of food or possibly a receptive female. Raccoon young are usually born in April or early May with a gestation period of 63 days. The young are blind and helpless at birth. The mother will typically move the young to a ground nest by the seventh week. The young can survive without the mother at 3 to 4 months of age but will den with the family during their first winter.