Just the other day we answered the question, that we get asked a lot, and that is: how long do squirrels live?
Do you ever wonder how long raccoons actually live? This article will answer your questions on raccoons’ life expectancy. It will also cover which factors contribute to their survival.
How long do raccoons live in the wild?
Sadly only about 50% of all raccoon babies survive their first year. Once they have reached adult age, their average life span is about five years in the wild. A lot of them will only become two to three years old, depending on their habitat and proximity to humans.
Raccoon life span in the wild
Raccoons in the wild have many predators and may not have access to food as much as needed. Raccoons typically live only for around two to three years in the wild. However, their life expectancy can be much shorter if they suffer from diseases, food scarcity, get killed by predators, or die from human intervention or traffic accidents. In rare cases, raccoons may reach an age of up to 10 years in the wild. It really comes down to their chosen habitat and how smart and fit for survival they are.
Raccoon life span in captivity
In captivity, raccoons may live for up to 20 years, depending on the quality of care they receive. Most raccoons that are cared for and not free-roaming average a life span of a decade or more easily.
Raccoon health
You need to understand that health is a really important factor in determining how long raccoons can live. All raccoons are susceptible to many diseases, such as mange, parvovirus, rabies, and distemper virus(sometimes also referred to as termed footpad disease). Even a roundworm infection might kill them in the long run because it is known to affect their brains, too. If a raccoon contracts one of these diseases, its life expectancy will be significantly lowered. However, even if a raccoon living in captivity becomes sick, when they receive proper medical care and treatment on time, they can often recover and live a normal life span.
How long can raccoons live?
So, while raccoons have a relatively short life span compared to other animals, they can still enjoy a long and healthy life if given the proper care and conditions. Raccoons in captivity also tend to be less active than their wild counterparts and experience less stress and struggles, contributing to longer life expectancy.
