Herb Lausier of Stockholm photographed this quartet of Aroostook County raccoon adolescents spending close time together. The gaze will eventually split up for more solitary adult lives.

Herb Lausier photo
Herb Lausier photo
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Raccoons are very sociable in a family group, or gaze, for about the first year. The typical adolescent raccoon becomes independent at 10 months of age. Some leave home as early as 8 months and some as late as 12 months.  Some young raccoons decide to den near their mother or somewhere on their natal home range, which is usually less than a mile away. Most raccoons are independent by 12 to 14 months and spend most of their time foraging alone, except when looking for mates.  But younger ones like these spend most of their time together.

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