Where do the raccoons go in Winter?

@TheHorse (228118)
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?
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10 people like this
10 responses
Kareng
@kareng (76646)
• United States
8h
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 (76646)
• United States
5h
@TheHorse Yes, it is.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
7h
It's a good tune.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
@kareng I listened to it this morning.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (152071)
• United States
1h
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.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (152071)
• United States
1h
@TheHorse Then I'm surprised the raccoons aren't nesting in bed with you when you wake up.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
@DaddyEvil Perhaps they are and I just don't know it.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
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.
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (53993)
• Canada
11h
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.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
11h
The ones we have here in Northern California are pretty "bold."
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (53993)
• Canada
11h
@TheHorse You need to put out some peppermint essential oils, that will deter them.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
@Juliaacv Aha! I had not known that!
rakski
@rakski (141165)
• Philippines
7h
Maybe he wants to be your pet with Kitty
1 person likes this
rakski
@rakski (141165)
• Philippines
Just now
@TheHorse I hope you can settle that soon
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
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
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (357094)
• Rockingham, Australia
3h
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 (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
I don't know if it is before or after,but yes, they wash their little hands.
Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (45633)
•
5h
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 (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
Kitty just sits and watches the raccoons do their thing.
1 person likes this
Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (45633)
•
47m
@TheHorse I am glad they get along so well together.
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (118419)
• Marion, Ohio
6h
I see them all year here
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
I do not know why they invade my house mostly in Spring.
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (86447)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6h
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 (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
They are resourceful critters.
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (192917)
• United States
6h
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 (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
It's hard for me to get "mad at them." But my house can barely contain Kitty and myself.
LooeyVille
@LooeyVille (67)
• United States
11h
We've got LOTS of them in this part of town.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (228118)
• Walnut Creek, California
11h
They are pretty comfy around humans.
1 person likes this