Space and Habitat Use by Male and Female Raccoons, Procyon lotor, in Kansas

Authors

  • Jan F. Kamler Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey, 205 Leasure Hall, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
  • Philip S. Gipson Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey, 205 Leasure Hall, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v117i2.685

Keywords:

Procyon lotor, Raccoon, habitat selection, home range, Kansas

Abstract

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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Issue

Vol. 117 No. 2 (2003)

Section

Articles

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