At three to four months, the cubs begin to forage on their own. Raccoons are now abundant in both urban and rural areas throughout Connecticut. They have keen senses of hearing, sight and touch, but taste and smell are less well developed. Raccoons have dexterous feet, are excellent climbers and can descend a tree head first. They are extremely strong for their size.
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal but occasionally venture out in the daytime.
The den is most often in a hollow tree, but raccoons will also use hollow logs, rock crevices, brush piles, buildings and abandoned woodchuck burrows, beaver lodges or fox dens. Generally, raccoons are not social but some pairs and families do travel together. The raccoon has been an economically important furbearer in Connecticut due to its abundance and pelt value. Raccoons are harvested each year during the regulated hunting and trapping seasons, providing recreation for many Connecticut sportsmen and helping to control local raccoon populations. Raccoons, especially large populations, prey on birds and their nests.