Wife walked up on a crying raccoon in the fenced in back yard.
Raccoon was behind a tree trunk.
As my wife backed away, the raccoon was crying. The raccoon appeared to me to be heavily pregnant.
I've been texting with a wildlife rehabilitator. She says that it is highly unlikely that the raccoon was pregnant this time of year. She said that it was most likely distemper.
I kept and eye on the raccoon for a long time, and I got a good look at her face. No runny nose or discharge, bright eyes, demeaner seemed pretty calm, but she did seem to have trouble walking. I've seen a rabid raccoon before. This one didn't seem to fit the profile of one, but that doesn't mean much to my untrained eye.
She moved on finally, after about an hour.
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Breeding season starts in January.
I found this interesting article.
https://outdoorpests.com/raccoon-mating-season/
I promise that I didn't drop off the racoon that bent my garden hook getting to the hummingbird feeder.
I only share my vehicle with groundhogs.
She was crying. I'm pretty sure she was in distress. Or, perhaps she was just startled, I'm not sure.
She seemed to be injured as she walked off, but there were no visible wounds.
She went on her way eventually...I hope she's alright. I've been worried about her.
I don't know anything about racoons except that they like the hummingbird food that I make.
I wonder if she fell out of a tree and hurt herself.
Keep an eye out and see if you spot her in the coming days.