Where do the raccoons go in Winter?

@TheHorse (229914)
Walnut Creek, California
June 30, 2025 11:53am CST
Late Spring and early Summer are the times when the raccoons invade here. If I leave my sliding glass balcony door open for Kitty, they will come five feet into my house and check on her food supply. I wake up and chase them away. This year there is a yearling (I think) who wants to be a cat. He even settles in and sits in one of Kitty's spots on my balcony railing. He is quite charming, but one slave master is enough for me. Now I have this James Taylor song playing in my head. Do you remember it?
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
15 people like this
14 responses
DE
@DaddyEvil (158268)
• United States
1 Jul
Raccoons are around all year... you may not see them because you don't leave the door open in the cooler weather so they stop checking to see if they can get Kitty's food.
2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (158268)
• United States
1 Jul
@TheHorse Then I'm surprised the raccoons aren't nesting in bed with you when you wake up.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
@DaddyEvil Perhaps they are and I just don't know it.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
You forget that I live in temperate Coastal California..I keep the sliding glass door to my balcony open by 5 inches all year around.
2 people like this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (54716)
• Canada
30 Jun
The racoons up here just seem to grow a thicker fur and we see them during the cold months of the year. I have never known a racoon to come so close to a home, that makes me think that the northern 'cousins' to your racoons are a little different in a few aspects.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Jun
The ones we have here in Northern California are pretty "bold."
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (54716)
• Canada
30 Jun
@TheHorse You need to put out some peppermint essential oils, that will deter them.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
@Juliaacv Aha! I had not known that!
1 person likes this
Kareng
@kareng (79140)
• United States
30 Jun
We used to have them come up under our carport at night in Louisiana. And yes, I remember that JT tune.
1 person likes this
Kareng
@kareng (79140)
• United States
30 Jun
@TheHorse Yes, it is.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
@kareng I listened to it this morning.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Jun
It's a good tune.
1 person likes this
rakski
@rakski (147575)
• Philippines
30 Jun
Maybe he wants to be your pet with Kitty
1 person likes this
rakski
@rakski (147575)
• Philippines
1 Jul
@TheHorse I hope you can settle that soon
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
I said to him, in no uncertain terms, "You are not a cat.You are a raccoon." He blinked and settled in for a nap.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (199302)
• United States
30 Jun
I don't know what raccoons do in the winter. I love the picture. I think they are so endearing. I don't recognize the Taylor song. Have a good week.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
It's hard for me to get "mad at them." But my house can barely contain Kitty and myself.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (199302)
• United States
1 Jul
@TheHorse They also can cause a lot of damage if you let them into the house.
Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (47805)
•
30 Jun
When I lived in the country, there was an instance that a racoon killed one of the feral cats I fed in the barn. It was terrible and I didn't want to deal with it all...I know the racoon was no doubt hungry, but most generally, racoons and cats are not a good mix.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
Kitty just sits and watches the raccoons do their thing.
1 person likes this
Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (47805)
•
1 Jul
@TheHorse I am glad they get along so well together.
Anna
@LadyDuck (482597)
• Italy
1 Jul
In winter, raccoons don't hibernate but enter a state of "slow motion". You do not see them around often, because in winter they seek out dens for shelter, often in tree hollows, under fallen logs, or even in abandoned buildings.
Greg
@xander6464 (45359)
• Wapello, Iowa
1 Jul
I don't remember that song. It must have been banned here.
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (121609)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Jun
I see them all year here
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
I do not know why they invade my house mostly in Spring.
1 person likes this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (88501)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Jun
That is a nice song, This is what the Internet said and also that they will come out on warmer days looking for food Hollow trees Burrows dug by other animals Attics or basements of buildings Rock crevices
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
They are resourceful critters.
1 person likes this
Baconstripsxxx
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (15760)
• Torrington, Connecticut
1 Jul
Good question
Jessica
@JESSY3236 (20970)
• United States
1 Jul
Never heard of that song. I have had the song Man in the Moon by REM in my head since last week.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362000)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jul
That's a nice song. Thanks for the link. Raccoons are supposed to be very clever. Aren't they the ones that wash their hands before they eat?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (229914)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jul
I don't know if it is before or after,but yes, they wash their little hands.
1 person likes this
Manuela Lopes
@nela13 (59065)
• Portugal
1 Jul
We don't have raccoons here so I have no idea!