Habitat Use by Prairie Raccoons during the Waterfowl Breeding Season

Fritzell, Erik K.

doi:10.2307/3800698

Cited by 96 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Raccoons often forage along the edge of water bodies because they are adept at using their front paws to grasp items in shallow water such as mollusks, crayfish, and other invertebrates and will even catch fish (McClearn 1992). Raccoons generally choose these aquatic animals if they are available, and Raccoons spend a disproportionate amount of time in wetland habitat compared to upland habitat (Fritzell 1978). Likewise, we found that Raccoons were 28 times more likely than Striped Skunks and 50 times more likely than Red Foxes to be observed on the reservoir side of the dike.…”

Section: Effect Of Wind Speed and The Orientation Of The Wind Relativmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Wind and Humidity on Foraging Behavior of Olfactory Mesopredators

Ruzicka

Conover

2011

Can Field Nat

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Many mammalian predators rely on scents to locate prey and weather conditions that affect an odor plume (i.e., scents suspended in air) or depositional odor (i.e., scents laid on the ground) should affect predator foraging behavior. We predicted that wind speed, wind direction, and humidity would influence the foraging behavior of olfactory mesopredators. We tested these predictions by conducting spotlight surveys for foraging Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes), Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and Raccoons (Procyon lotor) along the dike surrounding Willard Bay Reservoir in Willard, Utah, from August 2008 to August 2009. We recorded predator species, locations, numbers, and weather conditions at the time each predator was observed. While humidity had no effect on foraging, wind speed and direction were significant predictors of a predator's nightly foraging activity, with most predators observed when wind speeds were 2 to 4 m/s and winds were blowing perpendicularly over the dike the dike rather than parallel to the dike. Wind speed and direction also influenced where predators foraged on the dike, with predators being more likely to forage on the windward side of the dike when wind speeds were high enough to cause turbulence. We detected differences among predator species in their response to wind speed: Raccoons were more active than Striped Skunks and Red Foxes when the wind was calm and blowing parallel to the dike. Overall, our results indicate that these predator species alter their foraging behavior based on wind speed and wind direction. By foraging when winds were light and blowing perpendicularly over the dike, predators could likely enhance their ability to locate food using olfaction.

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Section: Effect Of Wind Speed and The Orientation Of The Wind Relativmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Wind and Humidity on Foraging Behavior of Olfactory Mesopredators

Ruzicka

Conover

2011

Can Field Nat

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“…The length of HOME RANGE AND SAMPLE SIZE 33 movements was unrestricted within the boundaries of the chosen area. The total area encompassed by a plot of this size when a unit = 1 km includes home range estimates for a wide variety of mammals (recognizing that there is considerable intraspecific variability), excluding dispersal and occasional sallies outside the area of most intensive use (Bailey, 1974;Bekoff, 1982;Bekoff & Wells, 1982;Bowen, 1982;Chapman & Fe1dhamer, 1982;Cheeseman & Mitson, 1982;French, Stoddart, & Bobeck, 1975;Fritzell, 1978;Fuller, 1978;Georgii, 1980;Gittleman & Harvey, 1982;Harestad & Bunnell, 1979;Harvey & Clutton-Brock, 1981;Hibler, 1977;Ikeda, Eguchi, & Ono, 1979;Kruuk, 1972Kruuk, , 1978Mech, 1970;Messier & Barrette, 1982;Mohr, 1947;Murray, 1982;Schaller, 1972;Schaller & Crawshaw, 1980;Sinclair, 1977;Singer, Otto, Tipton, & Hable, 1981). Ten simulations each were run for N (total locations) =10,25,50, 75, 100,200,300,400, and 500.…”

Section: Simulation Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation analyses of space use: Home range estimates, variability, and sample size

Bekoff

Mech

1984

Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers

100

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Simulations of space use by animals were run to determine the relationship among home range area estimates, variability, and sample size (number of locations). As sample size increased, home range size increased asymptotically, whereas variability decreased among mean home range area estimates generated by multiple simulations for the same sample size. Our results suggest that field workers should ascertain between 100 and 200 locations in order to estimate reliably home range area. In some cases, this suggested guideline is higher than values found in the few published studies in which the relationship between home range area and number of locations is addressed. Sampling differences for small species occupying relatively small home ranges indicate that fewer locations may be sufficient to allow for a reliable estimate of home range. Intraspecific variability in social status (group member, loner, resident, transient), age, sex, reproductive condition, and food resources also have to be considered, as do season, habitat, and differences in sampling and analytical methods. Comparative data still are needed.The way animals use space is of practical and theoretical interest to a wide variety of scientists, including those studying (1) relationships between behavior, age, sex, and spacing patterns, (2) resource distribution as it affects space use, (3) the relationship between metabolic requirements and home range size, and (4) space requirements for purposes of control or reintroduction of "problem" or endangered species

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“…Therefore, males that have acquired home ranges should show their presence there throughout the year because it is easier to maintain an exclusive home range than to establish one (Sandell 1989). Additionally, reproductive activities can influence home range sizes of solitary carnivores (Sandell 1989), including Raccoons (Fritzell 1978b). Because winter includes the breeding period for Raccoons in Kansas (Bee et al 1981), male Raccoons could have maintained larger home ranges than females due to inreased movements related to breeding activities (Seidensticker et al 1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In summer, females may have selected more grasslands than males due to differences in energetic requirements as a result of rearing young. Previous studies also found intersexual differences in habitat use of Raccoons, especially during the rearing season (Fritzell 1978b;Sherfy and Chapman 1980;Endres and Smith 1993). Sexual differences in habitat use by Raccoons may have also resulted from sexual dimorphism, which can lead to sexual segregation in habitat use and niche partitioning (Selander 1966;Moors 1980).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Space and Habitat Use by Male and Female Raccoons, <em>Procyon lotor</em>, in Kansas

Kamler

Gipson

2003

Can Field Nat

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We monitored 12 radio-tagged adult Raccoons (Procyon lotor) from an unexploited population in northeastern Kansas to determine intersexual differences in space and habitat use. Home ranges (mean ± SE) of males were relatively large (266 ± 14 ha) and mutually exclusive, whereas home ranges of females were relatively small (122 ± 52 ha) and overlapped extensively. Sizes of home ranges were smaller (P < 0.05) in winter than summer for both sexes, although females reduced their home ranges more than males. Females used more grassland habitats than males during summer (P < 0.05), whereas males used more grassland habitats than females during winter (P < 0.05). Seasonal differences in habitat selection was detected for females (P < 0.05), but not males. Intersexual differences in space and habitat use were likely related to different behavioral strategies employed by male and female Raccoons.

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Habitat Use by Prairie Raccoons during the Waterfowl Breeding Season

Cited by 96 publications

References 17 publications

Influence of Wind and Humidity on Foraging Behavior of Olfactory Mesopredators

Influence of Wind and Humidity on Foraging Behavior of Olfactory Mesopredators

Simulation analyses of space use: Home range estimates, variability, and sample size

Space and Habitat Use by Male and Female Raccoons, <em>Procyon lotor</em>, in Kansas

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