These 5 Animals Are Entering Mating Season In Illinois Right Now

Late winter is mating season for several animals, and that means more movement, bolder behavior, and a lot more unexpected encounters around neighborhoods.

Besides coyotes, there are so many animals going into mating season right now.

These 5 Animals Are Entering Mating Season In Illinois Right Now

Related: Why You Should Be On High Alert For Deer In Illinois

Striped skunks are one of the most noticeable this time of year.  February through March is their primary mating season, and males can travel long distances looking for a mate.  Skunks wander at all hours, so that's probably why you're smelling more odors lingering in the air.

Raccoons are also busy during later winter.  They like to find warm, narrow spaces to hide their babies, like chimneys, attics, and wall voids.  If you hear something in your walls.. you aren't going crazy.  It's probably a raccoon momma and their babies!

Great horned owls begin nesting and laying eggs as early as February.  If you've been hearing deep hooting at night, that's likely a pair claiming territory and preparing for chicks.  They are especially protective this time of year.

Groundhogs are known for hibernating through winter, but they start emerging around early February to reestablish mating territories.  Actual breeding usually happens in March, but you'll see them popping up sooner than that!

Red foxes roam around during daylight hours, if you haven't seen one yet!  They've been more active since mating season is hot and heavy for them right now.  Their babies will probably arrive in early spring.

Read More: 8 Tips to Make Illinois Winter Mornings Hurt Less

With all the increasing activity, it's important to keep your furbabies safe.  Supervise your pets if you don't have fenced in yards, keep them on leashes, especially at night, when animals like coyotes are most active.  Secure food sources by bringing in pet food indoors, removing birdseed, and tightly securing garbage to avoid attracting wildlife.