While driving the auto tour road at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, I came upon a sight I wasn’t expecting – two raccoons engaged in mating behavior! They were high up in a tree, making it a challenge to capture a clear shot. Luckily, I had my camera and lens set up on a beanbag, resting comfortably on the open window of my pickup truck.
This chance encounter got me curious about raccoon mating habits, and let me tell you, there’s more to it than meets the eye (or camera lens in this case). Here are some interesting facts about raccoon mating season:
- Extended Season: Raccoons are opportunistic breeders, with their mating season stretching from January all the way to June. However, the peak activity period falls between March and April, so my sighting wasn’t too far off schedule.
- Playing the Field: Male raccoons are polygamous, meaning they mate with multiple females during the breeding season. This strategy increases their chances of passing on their genes and ensuring successful reproduction.
- Vocal Cues and Showdowns: Don’t be fooled by their masked bandit appearance. Raccoon mating season can get quite raucous! Males use distinctive whistling sounds to attract potential mates. Additionally, they might get into fights with other males to impress the females.
While my photo op wasn’t ideal, witnessing this bit of wildlife behavior in its natural habitat was fascinating. Next time you’re exploring during the early spring months, keep an ear out for those telltale whistles – you might just witness a raccoon rendezvous of your own!
Gear Used:
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II (attached with a Fringer EF-FX Pro)
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: April 25, 2021 (07:23 A. M.)
- Aperture Priority
- Aperture: f7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/1400 (as determined by the camera)
- ISO: 3200
- Exposure Compensation: +0.67
- Focal Length: 400 mm