Raccoons do not hibernate. In a Toronto winter they slow down, sleep for long stretches in a sheltered den and live partly off the fat they built up in the fall. On milder days they wake up and go looking for food, which is why you can still see raccoons in January.
Do Raccoons Hibernate in Winter?
Hibernation involves a deep, months-long drop in body temperature and heart rate. Raccoons do not do this. They enter a lighter, on-and-off state called torpor. During a cold snap a raccoon may stay in its den for days or even a few weeks, then come out when temperatures rise. In the fall they eat heavily and can add a large amount of body weight, which carries them through the coldest stretches.
Where Raccoons Den in Winter
A raccoon looks for a dry, warm, protected space. In natural settings that means hollow trees and rock crevices. In the city it often means:
- Attics, especially through damaged soffits, roof vents and loose fascia
- Chimneys without a cap
- Garages, sheds and crawl spaces
- Under decks and porches
- Brick wall voids and the gap behind siding
Several raccoons may share a den in cold weather to stay warm, so a single entry point can hold more than one animal.
Winter Is Also Breeding Season
Raccoons mate from roughly January to March. After a gestation of about 63 days, females give birth in spring, usually in April or May. A pregnant female looks for a safe, quiet den to raise her young, and an attic is an ideal one. That is why many homeowners first hear raccoons in late winter and then discover babies in spring. If you are hearing noises overhead, our guide to raccoons in the attic explains what to check first.
Signs Raccoons Are Denning in Your Home
- Thumping, shuffling or chattering in the attic or walls, usually at night
- Damaged soffits, torn vent covers or lifted shingles
- Droppings in one spot, often on insulation or a flat roof (see our guide to what raccoon poop looks like)
- A strong musky odour or stained, flattened insulation
- Muddy paw prints near a chimney or roof edge
What to Do if Raccoons Are Living in Your Home This Winter
Do not seal the opening while the raccoons are inside, and do not try to smoke them out. A trapped raccoon will tear through drywall and insulation to get out, and a mother may be separated from her young. Call a licensed wildlife company. The humane process is to confirm whether young are present, remove the animals using a one-way exit or careful hand removal, repair the entry points and then clean up. Our raccoon removal service is built around that sequence.
Winter removal is possible and often easier than waiting for spring, because there are no babies yet. Taking care of it before the breeding season means you avoid the harder situation of a mother raccoon with kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do raccoons sleep all winter?
No. They sleep for days at a time during very cold weather, but they wake up and come out during warmer spells to find food and water.
What temperature makes raccoons stay in their dens?
There is no exact number, but prolonged cold, heavy snow and strong wind keep them in. They are usually active again once the weather eases.
Will raccoons leave my attic on their own in winter?
Rarely. An attic is warm and dry, so it becomes a long-term den. Without a repair, they stay or come back.
If you think raccoons have moved into your attic, call us for a free inspection. We will find how they got in, remove them humanely and seal the entry points.