January 21, 2000

     Racoon watch weather carefully

Raccoon tracks in the snow are thought of as one of the first signs of spring.   In Minnesota, raccoons den up for much of the winter.   Natural dens are hollow trees, logs and caves, but they also live in abandoned houses, farm buildings and other man-made structures.   They build up fat reserves in the fall that enable them to stay holed up in their dens during deep snow or very cold weather.  The raccoon is not a true hibernator, although it dens up and remains inactive for several weeks.   Its body metabolism does not decrease, nor its temperature drop, as does a hibernating animal such as the woodchuck.

Temperature is the controlling factor when a raccoon dens up, with the dividing line between remaining active and inactive about 27 degrees Fahrenheit.  As long as most days remain above this, the raccoon will roam the landscape.  But when it drops below this point, the racoon retires until the weather moderates.  Also, if there is deep snow or strong winds, a raccoon will stay in its den even though the temperature rises above freezing.

As winter continues, the raccoon becomes acclimated to the cold and will move about at lower temperatures, and by the time the breeding season arrives in January or February, the male moves in almost zero temperatures.  He might travel several miles in a night searching for a mate.