Raccoons don’t truly hibernate in the way that some animals like bears or groundhogs do. Instead, they enter a state of torpor, which is a period of decreased activity and lowered metabolism, but they remain somewhat alert. During colder months, raccoons may spend more time in their dens to conserve energy, particularly when food is scarce, but they can still wake up and forage if the weather warms up.
Typically, this period lasts from late fall to early spring. It can vary depending on climate conditions and the availability of food, but raccoons don’t sleep for weeks or months at a stretch like true hibernators. In areas with milder winters, raccoons may remain active throughout the colder months.