MOVEMENTS OF RACCOONS IN SMALL UPLAND WOODLOTS DEVOID OF WATER. Thesis for the Degree of M. S. MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LYNN ELLEN FISHER 1977 L I 8 H-411 Y Michigan State University I III; IIIIIILIIIII III III I III III I! I I L I «4‘3 53;} X1.“' . “fleece-e :3.- :32 '53, I: 71 ~33» «ga— 1'“). .~ :7 .' . 1‘ “’v(' r ,‘31‘ T) r‘y-fi‘; n A "V [_ _ *. . ‘ - V ,\ J .1 '2' '3" "1* 1' .5 V” . I I 9 A‘ * a. 1' [as .c. a}. .‘A J 3; :Z— ’9 c; APB 2 .0 .1. N; H, I q 7- . MOVEMENTS OF RACCOONS IN SMALL UPLAND WOOOLOTS DEVOID OF WATER By Lynn Ellen Fisher AN ABSTRACT OF A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Fisheries and Wildlife I977 ABSTRACT MOVEMENTS OF RACCOONS IN SMALL UPLAND NOODLOTS DEVOID OF WATER By Lynn Ellen Fisher Radiotelemetric methods were employed in a study concerning rac- coon movement patterns and cover type use in small upland farm woodlots in southern Michigan. Ten animals living in two upland woodlots devoid of permanent natural water sources were monitored from May through August, l976.' Approximately three-quarters of the fixes were recorded within the 8 ha encompassing the woodlots. Home ranges, averaging 55.l7 ha. overlapped considerably. Raccoons inhabiting Grazed woodlot spent sig- nificantly more time within the woodlot and had smaller home ranges than those of Hudson woodlot. Minimum home ranges, including only those areas containing at least l% of the total fixes to exclude occasional sallies, averaged 36.52 ha. The effect of seasonal foods on home range was apparent in the shift to the orchard in July. The increased concentration of move- ments around the woodlots in August may be attributed to adjacent corn fields. Distances moved per night averaged 524.3 m; the mean rate was ll5.l7 m/hr. Activity began within an hour or more after sunset and ended within an hour after sunrise; the mean duration was 8.6 hours. As Lynn Ellen Fisher indicated by distances and rates of movement, the activity increased steadily to peak between 0l00 and 0400. Daytime activity was rare; resting sites were most often tree dens. Available water sources, in the form of small ponds and metal stock tanks, were visited rarely, if at all. MOVEMENTS OF RACCOONS IN SMALL UPLAND WOODLOTS DEVOID OF WATER By Lynn Ellen Fisher A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Fisheries and Wildlife I977 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am indebted to professor Leslie w. Gysel under whose guidance this research was conducted. I also wish to thank Rollin Baker and John King for their suggestions and for editing the manuscript. Special thanks go to Marvin Siegel for his invaluable assistance in the refining and troubleshooting of the telemetric system and to Cal BuBrock, Lynn Mazo and Fred Hampel for their help in gathering data. Finally, to Greg Maddex, my gratitude is immeasurable for his unfailing understanding and encouragement. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES .......................... iv LIST OF FIGURES .......................... v INTRODUCTION ........................... l STUDY AREA ............................ 3 Location .......................... 3 Physiography ........................ 3 Vegetation ......................... ;3 Cl imate .......................... 5; METHODS .............................. ll Trapping .......................... ll Radiotelemetry Equipment .................. l2 Fieldwork ......................... l2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...................... 15 Cover Type Use and Home Ranges ............... 15 Use of Water Sources .................... 26 Travel Pattern Shifts Over Time .............. 28 Movement Patterns: Distances and Rates ........... 29 Activity Periods ...................... 3O Resting Habits and Denning Sites .............. .;fll Foods as Indicated by Scats ................ 34 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS .............. . ........ 38 LITERATURE CITED ......................... 4O Tabl 4:0: mm \1 LIST OF TABLES Page Description of major communities .............. 9 General trapping and radiotracking information ....... l6 Summarized use of cover types by raccoons .......... .lg Movement patterns and activity ranges ............ 20 Movement patterns for time intervals ............ 3l Activity periods ...................... 32 Denning information ..................... 35 Raccoon foods as indicated by 257 scats ........... 36 iv Figure 01 \I ll. l2. LIST OF FIGURES Aerial photograph of the general study area ......... Aerial photograph of the intensive study area. . . ..... Hudson woodlot and surrounding communities ......... Grazed woodlot and surrounding communities ......... Photograph of completed radio transmitter .......... Photograph of "whip" antenna transmitters .......... Maximum activity ranges in Hudson woodlot. . . f ...... Maximum activity ranges in Grazed woodlot .......... Ranges of l% use in Hudson woodlot ......... _. . . . Ranges of l% use in Grazed woodlot . . , ..... . ...... Biweekly habitat use (arcsine transformation) ........ Movement patterns for time intervals ............ Page l3 13 2T 22 24 25 27 33 INTRODUCTION Movement patterns are established and regulated by the density of the species, food supply, reproductive activity, the quality and physiographic arrangement of the habitat and no doubt many other factors (Sanderson 1966). Prior to 1940 low raccoon populations were related to the lack of available den trees (Scott 1937, Steuwer 1943) and re- ported movements were restricted to watercourses (Giles l942, Seton 1929). In the following years, a continent-wide population explosion (Sanderson 1951, Stains 1956, Llewelyn gt_al: 1960) was associated with the raccoons' extension of range (Sowls 1949, Peterson 1966). Coinciding with this extension was a movement into upland areas, often far from natural water (Findley et_al: 1975, Fitch 1958, Stains 1956). Movements toward good food supplies (i.e., corn) and acceptable den trees may have induced raccoon populationsto remain in the uplands (Sonenshine et_al, 1972, Schoonover et_a1:l951). Previous investiga- tions of raccoon ecology however, have centered upon lowland areas adja- cent to streams, ponds, swamps and marshes (Steuwer 1943, Turkowski gt_al, 1968, Urban 1970, Llewelyn et_al, 1960, Dorney 1954, Mech et_al: 1966, Frampton 1973, Ellis 1964, Giles 1943, 1944). "Home range" typically represents the area within the perimeter of capture points or telemetric fixes. All points obtained are usually included in the calculation of home ranges. Varying from 36 ha (Ellis 1964) to 154 ha (Steuwer 1943), home ranges for raccoons seem to vary 2 with experimental technique, age, sex, population density and available food and cover. Within the home range some areas are used more frequent- ly and intensively than others, while some are avoided altogether. The avoidance of open fields and utilization of seasonal food sources, crop- lands and livestock areas were mentioned by Ellis (1964), Turkowski__t._1. (1968) and Fitch (1958). Grinnell et a1. (1937) claim ready access to a good supply of water is the chief requirement for the presence of raccoons in an area. As a means of satisfying the drinking requirement and as a source of food, a permanent natural water supply has long been associated with the rac- coon. Natural water supplies were considered a necessity in the rac- coons' habitat by Dorney (1954), Seton (1929) and Steuwer (1943). Butterfield (1944), Frampton (1973),Winslow EEUQL-(197l) and Giles (1943, 1944) also documented the close association of raccoons with a permanent water supply. In the past, the proximity of water has all but been a prerequisite to the study of raccoons. Populations of raccoons are know to prosper in upland woodlots with little or no known permanent water supplies. Berner (1965) and Stromborg (1970) could find no direct evidence of use of neighboring water sources by raccoons inhabiting upland woodlots in southern Michigan. Throughout the summer, 1976, radiotelemetric methods were employed in the investigation of raccoons residing in small upland woodlots. Over 3000 locations were utilized in the determination of raccoon movements and activity. STUDY AREA L0_C<1’£i_0r1 The study area is part of the Michigan State University farm property south of the campus in East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. All of parts of sections 30 and 31, RTW, T4N and sections 25 and 36, RZW, T4N were included. Physiography_ The nature of this study precludes the restriction of the size of the study area. The general study site is 3.2 km long and 2.6 km wide, covering an area of 619 ha (Fig. l, 2). Characterized by gently rolling farmland, the primary use of the area is intensive agricultural research. Well-drained Hillsdale fine sandy loam of moderate fertility pre- dominates the fields and woods. Extensive areas of Spinks loamy fine sand are found in Hudson woodlot. Well-drained, these areas are low to moderate in fertility. The extreme southern portion of Hudson woodlot contains an area of poorly-drained Locke sandy loam. Miami loam char- acterizes Maple and Grazed wOodlots. Vegetation Selection of intensive study areas was resolved by the proximity of natural water sources. The lack of adjacent surface water is most conspicuous in Hudson and Grazed woodlots. Figure 1.--Aeria1 photograph of the general study area. Figure 2.--Aeria1 photograph of the intensive study area. 6 Hudson woodlot is a sugar maple (Acer saccharum)-beech (Fagus grandifolia) stand of 7.69 ha. Divided into two nearly equal-sized communities, the unmanaged northern half is a mature stand of irregularly interspersed beech and sugar maple in the 18 to 30 inch diameter size class (.46 to .76 m). Developing after clearcutting 45 years ago, the Southern half consists of an even-aged stand of sugar maple, beech and white ash (Fraxinus americana) in the 8 to 14 inch diameter size class (.2 to .36 m). Grazed woodlot is a 5.63 ha stand of mature sugar maple, beech, basswood (Tilia americana), white ash and ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) in the 10 to 25 inch diameter size class (.25 to .64 m). A complete lack of woody ground cover in the west and northwest 1.9 ha of the wood- lot has resulted from cattle grazing. Fencing has protected the remain- ing 3.7 ha from grazing for the past 10-15 years. Sugar maple saplings comprise 85% of the dense understory. Agricultural lands surround these woodlots (Fig. 3, 4). A descrip- tion of the major plant communities found in the study area is c0ntained in Table l. A 0.3 ha pond in the pasture east of Beaumont Road and a muddy 0.16 ha pond 3.1 meters north of Grazed woodlot are the only nearby permanent sources of water. Metal stock tanks are located at the cattle ’ barns, pig pens and in the pastures northeast of Grazed and east of Hud- son woodlots. The only other sources of water near the woodlots are temporary vernal ponds in the woods and fields. Climate Based on records for the 1941-1970 period, the average yearly temperature was 8.6°C, mean maximum 14°C, and mean minimum 3.2°C. The average annual precipitation for this 30-year period was 30.39 inches. conu II ".1: “111' us an on He U \r’ sum run ”I: J K"’nsuncu m , Ea.” 'r-‘II nsTuu Juan ”J II II (“rum -;;-:;I__:.:J_I:_ch:: I“ I 1:4 ll - C I“ ;-_- 3 IIIIOSON g 1’ 8 lb ln- U. I I“ III Q a 8 - g .1 9 ° b r 81 u a E " " TI OlO '3 [I]: u ”son an nun -’-== I "L “no? . - l'::::1’l usuncn a E | — unusenv .1 “’1 ll - A II .- :_..__II :: 222290110 3 """ ONTTLE ONNNS 400 0 It I 1 l I ———-r I l O 200 I FIOUNE 3. UUOSON WOOOlOT NNO SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. 8 HUME H 'F OLD IF :' nun l' “g—onsll e s E counuo n , ll nsrua: ‘ I“ ” WHEAT “ H H ::::::: :% il I II .- ” souuus # 20>” 2 ll ' __ : ”o IPINO IV \“Al” 2 II “I. onus . woooLIIT HST"! / .3 // nsron: rusroni “FIELD 2222222? II II COIIFIELO II ”no” 1% H. noun ovu um .:___._:_._._:_.I ,f I I'I' ll PASTOR! sou / “an” H wens F—_” El sou «~- :: D onus -_ I-__—:. [:1 T ------- ‘TL___________________ IF’ ----------------- 4 H II II II 400 o H r I l o zoo u FIOUNE 4.0RAIEO WOODlOT AND SURROUNDING OOIIUNITL .mcoumeEm macpquu .mnpm maoLmso ..mw.mmmmmmMHI .me wupmmmLm .umI Escomxpom .nmIA EzppoL< .amI Ezpuomocmcu .amw mcmppm .nmI mzcucmLms< mLOLuu mzuzmo .amI sarmLpu .mmmmmLo oopuom .anm: Fmaccm Lmzpo .mprmmwm mgucmz .amm mauowpmz .mmme_=> m_Lm:P4 .nmm macycmLmE< .umm Ezmewu .me EnumxmLm» .mpoLmu mzuzmo .umm E:VFOLPL» .m>wpmm ommownmz .mwmmeo ooFIow nmm oxcww .nmm mumgpp< .LmI mmcrLNm .amI cOLucchLPJ .nMI memu .nmm maexcoam .nmIA maxmA .amIm mFFocmm: .uml m_LanwL ...mm maczrm .nmI m::_xmLu .nmwA mLmuNcoA .nmIA mmoNa .nmIA mNPFH ..mwA m:E_: .amI mammmeu .LmIA mchou .nmIA xLPmm .nmIA Loon ...mI EacLzLF> .nmIA macpq .amI mzpzmom .nmI m=_mz .mI.m:ULw:o ...mIA mwamm .nmI ancwuum> :mquo Lama .xLstu :mpga< comma ONIoF .mcmwnxom .ummzz .mumo .cLou .mmmmMLw .m>wumm ommu_cmz oo_Iom .wwmnmoaxw.mmnwm .nmm mzuanmm .nmm machm .mcmwcmew> mxmumo .mcmqumEm m:E_: .mwpoewvcmmm upmwu vpo mszmma memLsz vcm umeoLo mncm4 FmLzupsqum< mammu .mcmqumEm mscwxMLm .mcmqumEm mwah .EsLmzuoom Lmu< mmImN umNme .m__mpcwvwouo mzcwp:m_a .mn_m mzoszo .mcmowLmEm Acomuaz Lo zzv m__wh .anzL m:ULm:m .mcmowLmsm mzcwxmLu .Eszcoumm Lmu< omIom asapu me» .mwwLorwIm:CLou .mcmowLmEm m:E_: .wpmnmocau mmnwm .nmm mausnEmm ..am manna .mcqume macaLa .mcmqumEm mwpwh .mcmowLmEm mscwxmLm .mLPOLPcmLm mama; .Eangoumm Lmu< ooFIom comma: popuooz mmwumam Loam: Axv Lm>ou xpwczssou xLoumLm>o .mmwyw:=EEoo Lawns Lo cowuapLummoII.P mpnmh 10 Temperatures during the study period varied from -.6°C in May to 33°C in July. Monthly highs averaged 27°C and lows averaged 13.5°C for June through August. The average high of l7.6°C in May and the average low of ll.9°C in August were approximately 3°C lower than those reported for the 30-year period. The remainder of the monthly averages were with- in 2°C of the standards. The total rainfall of 11.43 inches for these four months was an inch below the normal. Only 0.49 inches of rain were reported for August, whereas the normal is 2.79 inches. weather data were provided by the United States Weather Bureau at Lansing, Michigan. METHODS Tr pping A three-week period of prebaiting to increase trapping success began on 14 April l976 in Hudson woodlot. Twenty-two live-traps were set along the perimeter and five on the north-south midline of the woodlot. The heavy concentration of edge trapping was prompted by Stromborg's (1970) previous experience in this area. A mixture of dogfood and sardines was initially used for bait. Later, mackerel was substituted for monetary reasons. By 8 May the majority of the vernal ponds and other surface water had dried up and trapping began. Location of capture, relative age (adult-juvenile), sex and weight were noted for each individual. .Juve- niles were color-dyed with Nyanzol A for later identification and released. (The use of a standard-sized collar precluded radio-tracking juveniles.) Adults were anesthetized using ether in a variable-sized anesthe- tizing chamber (Balsar and Kinsey 1962). The raccoons were ear-tagged and a transmitter was attached around the neck. Unfortunately, the remaining transmitters were not completed until the end of June. Trapping in Grazed woodlot thus began on 2 July. Pre- baiting was omitted because of the high trapping success in Hudson wood- lot and the lack of time. All raccoon captures in Hudson woodlot were along the edge. Thus the trapline in Grazed woodlot was comprised 0f ten traps along the perimeter of the ungrazed portion and three traps ll l2 within the grazed portion of the woodlot. The trapping procedure was consistent with that explained earlier. At the conclusion of the study, the traplines were reset in both woodlots. The local fish market provided unlimited fish scraps for use as bait. This 3-week long attempt to recover some of the transmitters was not successful. Radiotelemetry Equipment Transmitters were slightly revised versions of those described by Cochran and Lord (l963). The copper collar served as a transmitting (loop) antenna for eight of the transmitters. The remaining three used a wire (whip) antenna (Fig. 5, 6). This modification was designed to increase the transmitting range. Unfortunately, the whip antenna is more susceptible to damage by breaking, as it extends 6 inches (15.2 cm) from the collar. All three of these transmitters were apparently dam- aged within a few weeks of their wearer's release. The initial two-fold increase in range was reduced by a factor of lO or more. Once constructed and field-tested, the transmitters were potted in a dental acrylic to prevent damage from teeth or water. The total weight of these units was loo 9; range varied from one-eighth to three- quarters of a mile. A lightweight harness was improvised from nylon straps for hold- ing the portable, twelve-channeled receiver. The three-element Yagi . antenna was hand-held. Extraneous noise was reduced by using headphones. Fieldwork Tracking usually commenced 60 minutes before sunset and continued until 60 minutes.after sunrise. Position sightings were taken at l5 l3 Figure 5.--Photograph of completed radio transmitters. Figure 6.--Photograph of "whip" antenna transmitters. l4 minute intervals. Triangulation was relied upon for accurate location data. Throughout the summer, intermittent daytime sightings were used to pinpoint den locations and to ascertain any daytime movements. Over the 4-month period, 3527 separate fixes were obtained. The identification of food sources and cover type use was aided by the qualitative examination of scats. A total of 257 seats in Hudson and Grazed woodlots were inspected between ll May and 15 August. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION There were ten raccoons captured during 150 trapnights within Hudson woodlot in May 1976. In July, 130 trapnights yielded 19 animals in Grazed woodlot. Based on ranges determined by telemetry, population densities were approximately l/ll acres (4.44 ha). In comparison with wetland area estimates (Steuwer 1943, Urban 1970), this upland area supports a relatively high population of raccoons. Four female and two male raccoons were captured and collared in Hudson woodlot between 9-27 May (Table 2). Female number 5 removed her collar within 2 weeks. The remaining 5 animals were radio-tracked for 9 to 14 weeks. These 5 averaged 260 fixes per night for 23 nights of tracking or 11 per night per animal. Between 3-13 July, 3 males and 2 females in Grazed woodlot were trapped and collared (Table 2). In the 6 to 7 week tracking period, there averaged 384 fixes for 24 nights, or 16 per night per animal. A mean weight of 12.6 pounds was recorded, males averaging 1 pound more than females. Although heavier than Sonenshine's (1972) Virginia raccoons (average June weight of 7 pounds), these findings are consis- tent with weights recorded for Michigan raccoons (Steuwer 1943, average spring-summer weight of 12.6 pounds). Cover Type Use and Home Ranges Burt (1940) described home range as the area about its established home that is transversed by the animal in its normal activities. One 15 l6 ommm mmm 462 m cmpfiou Xe: m games: 0.x mFmsmd m 4mg Pm Esq mm - am: __ Lm__ou am: w comes: o.o_ m_mz N Pom Fm mzq mp - an: m Lap_oo an: m gowns: m.__ mFmEma. _ mmxww umxumgu uo_LmQ mcwxomgp waxy mums mmc< Ama_v xwm Longs: mo .02 mucawc .oz accmpc< mack agave: coouumm .cowmeLowcp mcwxowgpownwg new mcwaamgu ngmcmolu.m mpnmh l7 factor determining the size of the home range is the distribution of suitable habitat. Using a grid system comprised of 6.4 acre (2.6 ha) squares (Turkowski et_al: 1968), the percentage of fixes falling in each square was tallied. As the location data were usually taken at equal intervals throughout the nightly activity period, the percentage of fixes in an area should represent the percentage of time an animal spent in that area. An exception to this premise was the corn fields. Corn comprised 67% of the scats (Table 8) collected in August, yet no fixes were record- ed for corn fields this month (Fig. 11). The percentage of corn field fixes actually decreased as the corn ripened. This phenomena was caused by the interruption of radio signals by dew on the corn plants. On most evenings, dew point was reached soon after raccoon activity began. As the corn field height approached 2.5 m, the interruption of the signals became more severe. (Receiving antenna height was typically 1.2 to 1.5 m.) The absence of a comparable height and density in the other cover types limited the problem to the corn fields. The remaining cover types occupied varying amounts of time for different animals (Table 3). The percentage of fixes recorded for the woodlots ranged from 59.6 to 96.6%. Grazed woodlot raccoons averaged 20% more time inside the woodlot than those of Hudson. Urban (1970) reported female raccoons occupied wooded areas more than males. The reverse was true in this study; 5.2% more fixes were recorded in the woodlots for the males. 18 .m_m:mwm ownmg mcp m:_pnggmucw mucwpa mgu co zwn an ummzmu mm: co?pgopmwu mwzh .nmwcmmwgamg can“ Lopmmgm mw upmwe cgoo cw ucmam we?» Fozpow4 Lmnszz coouomm umwu Lm>oo umumwp mg“ a? mmx?w we mmmpcoocma .mcoouowg an mmaxp Lm>ou we mm: um~wgmeszmsu.m anmh l9 Occasional sallies outside the area, perhaps exploratory in nature, should not be considered as part of the home range (Burt 1940). A max- imum area "activity range" was calculated by summing the number of 2.6 ha squares containing at least one fix. Since this method tends to over- estimate the real home range, an additional figure was derived by to- talling those squares containing at least 1% each of the total fixes (Turkoswki e_t_11_. 1968). The 'maximum activity range' for these raccoons varied from 41.44 ‘ha to 64.75 ha, averaging 55.17 ha (Table 4). Previous estimates derived from radiotelemetry were comparable (61.9 ha, Mech _t__l, 1966; 48.4 ha, Urban 1970; 36.5 ha, Ellis 1964). Hudson woodlot raccoons had maximum home ranges which were significantly larger than Grazed woodlot animals (F = 29.74**). The home range averages of 58.01 ha and 52.32 ha, respec- tively, are probably due to the provision of requirements in a smaller area (Sanderson 1966). Ellis (1964), Giles (1943) and Urban (1970) noted a smaller home range for female raccoons. In this study, the average maximum range was slightly higher for females. According to the more realistic range of 1% use, however, the range of female raccoons was 1.75 ha less than males. The 1% use range varied from 10.36 ha to 46.6 ha, averaging 36.52 ha. The orchard provided an additional food source with the ripening of fruit in July. Found in 20% of the scats analyzed (Table 8), cherries ‘ lured three of the raccoons from Grazed woodlot 490 m to the orchard be- tween 15 July and 15 August (Fig. 8, 11). Raccoon number 6 from Hudson woodlot was the sole visitor to the nursery across Beaumont Road, 245 m from the woods (Fig. 7). .mgzo: m>wuaummcoo m>wm cmsu mmmr $0 mvowgma pcmsm>oe Low mumu mcww:_oxm mum; :mwe we cowum—zurmo asp mw mum; umumzmvoe mesa: mo Longs: _mp0p « mucmpmwu Pmuop u mum; :mmza .Amgmums :wv xv; pmmP mUCwm vm>oe mucmpmwc :wmzm 20 mm.om ~_.mm mm.m_— m_.m—_ om.¢mm mm.mm page» om.Fm mm.~m mm.ooP mm.¢oF No.mmm o¢.mm cmNme vq.P¢ Fo.mm an.up_ m¢.mm_ om.m~m mm.m¢ :Omuzx mm.om cm.mm op.op_ om.mpp on.mmm on.nm mm_m5mm mm.mm mm.¢m No.wo_ «P.m_~ om.¢mm mm.oq mmez om.m~ mm._m mm.mm om.mo_ mm.¢mm Fm.mm FF mo.¢¢ mm.mm mm.—o_ ow.mo_ Fm.omm mo.mm OF mw.mm No.mv em.qr— mm._o— mm.mm¢ mo.mm m mm.op ¢¢.Fq am.mm om.mm w¢.omm m¢.mm m mw.wm mm.om mm.mm— wo.q_p om.m_¢ Fo.o¢ n mo.¢¢ mo.¢¢ om.wo_ mm.o_F mm.Pmm mn.mv m ¢¢.F¢ m_.mo mp._¢~ mm.~¢~ o~.ooo mo.¢m a om.om mm.¢m mm.mm mm.o—P am.mo¢ mm.m¢ m mw.wm mu.¢o oo.mm_ Pm.mmP mm.FoN Fp.om N No.ov mm.vo on.mm~ mm.o__ wv.mm¢ Pm.o¢ F Aggy Amgv mace; AL;\EV QAL:\EV AEV mmocwpmwo gm253: mm: xp xpw>wuom ompmg mama “saw: Lma :oouumm mo mmcmm Esswxmz umpmsmv< mucwpm?u cam: .mmmcmg xpw>wuum vac mcgmppua ucmsm>oz-r.e «Pooh 21 O 400” u———’ e .1 —: O 200' —- 1 -— 2 : MAJOR RORO ...... 3 + 4 :3: MRI RORI + 6 FIGURE 7. IHIIOI RClIVllY RANGES IR IIIIOSOR WOOOLOI 22 'Il FIGURE 8 IAXIIIII ACTIVITY RANGES « —— - —- m..- o.- =~ MAJOR ROAD 3:: OIRT ROAD WOOOLOT II GRAZEO WOOOIOT. 23 Possible inhibition of movement by Beaumont Road may explain the nonuse of the nursery, cropland and pond by the Hudson raccoons. Although the number of fixes was lower than expected, corn fields north of Hudson woodlot were included in the 1% range of all the rac- coons (Fig. 9). The corn field east of Grazed woodlot was frequented by raccoon number 9; while the others utilized corn east of the woodlot (Fig. 10). Ellis (1964), Turkowski et_al: (1968) and Fitch (1958) also noted the influence of nearby corn fields on movement patterns. Aside from corn, soybeans covered the most common and frequently used cropland near Grazed woodlot. The fields south of the woodlot were traversed and/or utilized by all of these raccoons (Fig. 8, 10). The use of the wheat field by raccoons 8 and 9 occurred during the latter half of July (Table 3). Utilization of livestock areas varied considerably among the Hudson woodlot raccoons (Table 3). The swine barn area was found within the minimum home range of four of the five animals (Fig. 9). Ground shelled corn and bone meal in the barns and in feeders within each pen were 'pilfered' often by raccoons (J. Strittmatter, pers. comm.). Activity near the cattle barns across Beaumont Road was less fre- 'quent. The occasional use by'raccoons'l, 2 and 3 occurred during June and early July (Fig. 7). Further use may have been inhibited by the road. No feed was provided for the cattle pastured east of Hudson wood; lot during the stady period. Permanent stock tanks were furnished with a float arrangement. Corks found in the bottom of the tanks were occa- sionally removed by raccoons (P. Sweeney, pers. comm.). EIGURE l 24 6.000%!— + l RANGES OE 1% USE eT-o -—- IAIDR ROADS 3:: nm nous IN HUDSON WOODLDI. 25 E? I l I I 1 1'— 2:351: 3: I? s It i I: H g II [y H Lu "’ n [I n [I II ___..__-_ u E: ------- 1L_________.__________. Ir- ----------- ” 400 II 0 n H N If 11 i a zoo II n —— 7 : anon avo ....... 8 -- a 2::om aoao ---1o 7 +11 //4 WOODIOI EIGIRE lO.RANGES OF 1% USE IN GRAZED NDODLOT. 26 Grazed woodlot animals were never located near livestock barns, the closest of which was over 600 m from the woodlot. Corn silage and shelled corn were fed to cattle pastured to the north and west of Grazed, woodlot. An uncollared raccoon was observed inside the feed trough in this pasture on 10 July at 0535. This trough and its neighboring waterer were within the maximum home range of raccoons 9, 10 and 11 (Fig. 8). Only raccoon number 9 included them in his 1% range of use (Fig. 10). The remainder of the home range was occupied by pastures and old fields. The alfalfa pasture west of Hudson woodlot was included in the 1% range of all raccoons. Other pastures located east and south of the woodlot, were used with varying intensity. Grazed woodlot raccoons were also located often in alfalfa fields. The field south of the woodlot was used by raccoons 7 and 10 with 7 including it in his 1% range. Number 9 was found in the alfalfa field northeast of the woodlot. The overgrown old field south of Grazed wood- lot was included in the minimum home ranges of four of the raccoons. Varying use was made of the pastures circumventing three sides of the woodlot (Fig. 8, 10, 11). Use of Water Sources Mater appeared to have minimal effect on the movement or use of cover types by these raccoons. There were no fixes located at the pond across Beaumont Road and only one in the vicinity of the pond north of Grazed woodlot (Raccoon number 10, Fig. 8). The previously mentioned mischief at metal stock tanks may insinuate their use by raccoons; how- ever, raccoons 6, 7 and 8 were never located near any of the known 39.2-33.2..— uxBo-S mm.— ::=. 53:33 .2 =3: “:55: 2:: 27 53.: :2 =2 . :s 23: 2...: :3: 2:2 :3; 2...: :3; :3: -2 2 a s 22: .2: u 323,: . . . . M 2:23 :2. 2 s 35 3.. .TT. 5:: l l 35...: I: I I o 22; III: 3 . 2 3:3 232:. 28 sources of water. Metal stock tanks northwest of Grazed woodlot were included in the 1% range of only one raccoon (Fig. 10). The 'necessity' of permanent water sources was not upheld in this study. Travel Pattern Shifts Over Time Ellis (1964), Turkowski et_al, (1968) and Tester and Siniff (1965) noted a slight shift in home range or center of activity over time. Fig. 11 depicts the shift in cover type use over the course of this study. A major shift from Hudson woodlot to the small group of trees northwest of the woodlot took place in the latter half of May and June. This area is somewhat lower than the woodlot, vernal ponds remaining until 20 June. Although movement was first attributed to this water, the coincidental sojourns to the swine barns and later evidence indicate food to be the more likely attraction.' The return to Hudson woodlot in late July and August was indicated by denning sites and nightly movements. Ripening of corn and improved shade may have contributed to this return. The shift in movement patterns to encompass the cherry orchard in late July and early August was anticipated. Grinnell_t_g1, (1937) and Steuwer (1943) reported extended treks to orchards in the summer. 0n the whole, movements seemed to be more scattered over the home range early in the summer and concentrated around the woodlots in August. Bider _t_al, (1968) found the reverse to be true, as activity increased in forested areas from early May through mid-July and subsequently rose in open fields until September. Food availability and population density may contribute to the shift and decrease in home range size. A population increase, with the dispersal of spring-born raccoons, may result in home range decreases (Sanderson 1966, Steuwer 1943, Ellis 1964, Urban 1970). 29 Fitch (1958), Bider et_al, (1968), Ellis (1964) and Cauley (1974) noted the influence of food sources on raccoon activities and home range. Corn fields located within 125 m of both woodlots as well as plentiful fruits and insects adjacent to and within woodlots indicate smaller home ranges. Movement Patterns: Distances and Rates The mean distance moved per night, 524.3 m, was similar for the sexes (Table 4). Distance moved per night varied from 351.89 m to 701.53 m. The sum of the distances traveled each night was divided by the number of hours tracked for the computation of rates of movement. Ces- sation of radiotracking during the night was precipitated by receiver malfunctionings, battery problems, lightning and rain. A period of less than five continuous hours may not be representative of the rate of movement for the entire night. An adjusted rate, excluding data for periods of less than 5 hours, was thus computed (Table 4). The overall rates of travel and adjusted rates were quite similar (115.17 m/hr and 112.39 m/hr, respectively). Individual raccoons varied from 97.6 m/hr to 152.61 m/hr for average and 88.79 m/hr to 141.15 m/hr for adjusted rates. Although comparable, these rates are slightly lower than those reported previously (161.54 m/hr, Urban 1970; 118.87 m/hr, Ellis 1964). The rates of travel averaged 20.58 m/hr greater for Hudson area raccoons (F = 4.55'). Rate of movement depends on type of activity, travel conditions (including cover type), weather, presence of other animals and season (Sanderson 1966). Beyond the resolution of actual movement, the type of 30 activity was not discernible. Cover type does appear to influence the rate of travel. Foraging decreased rates in croplands, woodlots and livestock areas, whereas lack of cover may have increased rates in pastures and old fields. Although Sharp (1956) and Berner and Gysel (1967) relate raccoon activity to temperature and wind, this study showed no correlations. Activity Periods Nightly activity usually commenced an hour or more after sunset and ceased within an hour after sunrise (Table 6). The average duration of the nightly excursion was 8.6 hours. Previous studies indicate simi- lar trends; activity beginning within an hour before or after sunrise (Berner and Gysel 1967, Urban 1970, Turkowski et_al;1968). Turkowski et_al,(1968) also noted a high incidence of after sunset starts and after sunrise ends. Sharp (1956) and Bider §t_al, (1968) reported the differential utilization of different areas of the same habitat at different times. The movement toward known food sources in the early evening was char- acterized by the cropland, where nearly 40% of the activity prior to 2200 took place. Activity peaks, indicated by distances and rates of movement occurred between 0100 and 0400 (Table 5, Fig. 12). This peak was 2 to 5 hours later than those observed by Bider gt_al, (1968) and Urban (1970). Resting Habits and Denning Sites Although Ellis (1964) reported raccoon movement during 74% of the daylight period, Urban (1970), Berner and Gysel (1967), Bider et.al. (1968), Mech et_al. (1966) and Turkowski et_al. (1968) noted very little 31 m.NNN m.omm o~.nmm mm.mm m—.mm— mm.mm ¢m.¢m~ om.m_ ow.mo_ concuoo¢o m.oom m.onm om.m¢m mo.om mm.mw— m¢.mm Fm.mwa mm.om om.om— ooqonoo—o m.mmm m.¢m— mm.omm mm.mm m_.©¢— on.mm om.om— mm.mm mo.m~_ oopouoomm w.mm_ ~._m— oo.~¢~ mm.m mm.m¢ m¢.m mm.¢¢ am.o_ up.mm commuoomp o o o o o o o o o oompuoomp o o o mm.o m_._ v¢.o cm.m o o oompuoop— o o o o o o o o o oo-uoomo L;\E L:\E c;\E N E & E WI E Pm>cmpcw mew» Peach umchw .mmmmmm Pouch vamLo comma: pm>cmucw wswp mcwczv uw>oe mum; mmccw>< Pm>cm>cw we?“ mcwczu cm>oE mucmpmvc mmmcm>< .m_m>cwucw wswp com mcgwupma pcmEm>oziu.m «Peak 32 Amwuzcws NV .mmwccsm Ammpzcws NV .pmmczm mcowmn cmvcm zuP>wpuwpuwuum mo cowpmcwscmh zpw>wpum $0 pmmco .muovcma Nuw>cuo<--.m m_nah 33 300L 2‘ E S .':' zoo— ‘3 2 S m = a: a z a I S o nuosou “g 100- x mm s. ‘2 a 0" L 1 l L l L 1 l— 1500 1900 2200 0100 0400 0700 1000 1300 TIME FIGURE 1:. MOVEMENT PATTERNS FOR TIME INTERVAL 40 300 0 NUDSON I GRAZED 200 100 RATE MOVED DURING TIME INTERVAI. METERS/NR O 1 L_ 1 l l I 1 L 1600 1900 2200 0100 0400 0100 1000 1300 TIME FIGURE 12, MOVEMENT PATTERNS FOR TIME INTERVAL R 34 movement during the day. Only one instance of daytime movement was noted during this study (Table 5). From daytime fixes, 16 raccoon dens were located; 14 tree dens and 2 ground dens. Steuwer (1943) and Berner (1965) agreed the majority of dens were tree dens. Both ground dens were located in or nearby Hudson woodlot (Table 7). Four different dens were pinpointed for rac- coon 1, three for raccoons 8 and 11 and two for raccoons 4, 7 and 9. Shifting of daytime resting sites was also noted by Mech gt_al, (1966) and Turkowski gt_al, (1968). Foods as Indicated by Scats The variety of the diet of raccoons has been well-documented (Baker gt__l. 1945, Steuwer 1943, Stains 1956, Sonenshine §t_al, 1972). Between 11 May and 15 August corn, mice, insects, oats, soybeans, fruit, seeds, grass and hay were identified in 257 scats (Table 8). Although plant foods exceeded animal foods by 30 to 40% through- out the summer, insects amounted to 20 to 25% of the monthly totals. The shift to seasonally available foods was evident in both the scats and movement patterns. In May, insects, hay and seeds comprised 83.4% of the seats. By August, these three food items were only 21.3% of the total. Animal foods, primarily insects, decreased considerably in August, as corn ripened. Corn increased from 5.5% in May to 16.25% in July to 67.2% in August. The influence of corn on raccoon movements has been mentioned. Throughout the summer, fruits and crops assumed varying impor- tance. Preference for sour cherries ripening toward the end of July was exhibited through location data and scat analyses. Baker_gt_a1. (1945), Dorney (1954), Steuwer (1943) and Stains (1956) mentioned the .po_uooz mo cowugoa uwchm :Hu .po_v002 mo 22 mmmcu mo azocm PFNEm cH 35 a .popuooz we “mm: 5 op mgzpmma :Hm AON. 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NNV om a_aaz 3 _ SONN comes: - czocxcs zm< ag_;3 3 4 NONN gowns: AN¢.NNV NN Nae «ANS: Sumac“ :, z _ NO\© games: - - uczocu au_m,N N No\o games: - - nap:woa:_a 502 gm N NONN gowns: - - ecsoew 32 _ N_\m games: AN._o_v ow m_amz 3m _ o_\m gowns: AEUV mmcuc_ emu saw: Ago—woo: :wv consaz mpmo mmc< c, gnu wwwomam mock CONNNUON coooumx .cowpmscowcw mcwccmouu.n mpnmk .Fmpop angcos no women mpwum mo Na 36 NNF om Km mF FNNOF F mN.m m F.x m w.NN m mm: m mn.mF FF ¢.m N - - mmmco . mN.F F m.mF N m.NN m mumwm F oo.ON oF - u u - mchngu . mN.F F F.m m - . mmFLLmncmuFm F mN.FN NF F.w m - - “Fag; - mN.o m N.o_ 4 m.m F m:_acm .mpmo .mcmmaxom F mN.FF m F.m m m.NN m .usz m oo.oF m F.m m - - mmFmem NF oo.m S _.N m - - emaaogmmacu mN mN.mN FN m.¢N m m.NN m muummcH w mN.w N m.oF q m.m F mmzoz Nw mN.mF mF m.mF m m.m F :L00 mpmom Fo MN mumum mo «N mumom Fo NN mymom Fo noon gmassz gossaz Lamazz LmnE:z umzms< anw mesa mm: I‘I .mumom NmN An topmoFucF mm muoom :oouummu-.m anmF 37 importance of seasonal fruits. Whereas hay was found most often in May, soybeans, oats and other grains were more common in June. From this analysis it appears as though corn and fruit, when available, and insects are the more preferable raccoon foods. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS During a 15 week period in the summer of 1976, ten raccoons liv- ing in two small upland woodlots were telemetrically monitored to deter- mine movement patterns. Over 3000 locations were recorded. The study area, located on Michigan State University farm property south of East Lansing, Michigan is extensively cultivated. A lack of permanent natural water sources distinguishes the two woodlots. Although the intensity of use of the different cover types varied, home ranges overlapped considerably. Averaging 55.17 ha (S.E. = 8.49), a significant difference was found between the 'maximum' activity ranges of raccoons from the two woodlots (F = 11.7**). Home range size is directly related to the location of a good food source. Frequent forays to livestock areas by raccoons living in Hudson woodlot were likely in search of food. A minimum home range was also calculated, including only those areas where at least 1% of the total fixes occurred. Omitting the occa- sional excursions outside the area, home ranges averaged 36.52 ha (S.E. = 10.8). Shifts in home range coincided with seasonal food sources. Im- portance of livestock areas declined as fruits and corn ripened. Cher- ries enticed 3 of the Grazed woodlot raccoons to expand their ranges. 0n the whole, movements scattered over the range early in the summer became more concentrated around the woodlots in August. Population increases and the proximity of ripe corn may have contributed to the decreased range size. 38 39 The average distance moved per night varied from 351.9 m to 701.53 m, averaging 524.3 m. Overall rates of movement, averaging 115.17 m/hr (S.E. = 18.06), were significantly greater for Hudson area , raccoons. Nightly activity usually began an hour or more after sunset and ended within an hour after sunrise; the mean duration of activity was 8.6 hours. Activity, indicated by distances and rates of movement, generally increased steadily, peaking between 0100 and 0400 hours. Only one instance was reported of daytime movements. Changing sites often, 87.5% of the daytime resting locations were tree dens. A qualitative examination of 257 seats throughout the study peri- od identified corn, insects, seeds, hay and fruit as the most important foods. Plants exceeded animals in the scats and many seasonal foods were highly preferred. Cover type use, home range size, distances and rates of travel, activity periods, resting habits and foods are comparable to those re- ported previously for raccoons inhabiting lowland areas. The only sig- nificant difference appears to be the relationship to permanent sources of water. Whereas in the past, a water source was considered indispen- sable for raccoon habitat, in this instance, sufficient water appears to be obtained through foods and dew. LITERATURE CITED LITERATURE CITED Baker, R. H., C. C. Newman.and F. Wilke. 1945. Food habits of the ’raccoon in Eastern Texas. J. Wildl. Mgt. 9(1):45-48. Balsar, D. 5., and C. Kinsey. 1962. A variable size anesthetizing chamber for animal handling. J. Mamm. 43(4):552-555. Berner, A. 1965. Ecological evaluation of large tree cavities and ground burrows and their use by raccoons. M.S. thesis, Michigan State University, 79 pp. (Unpublished). , and L. W. Gysel. 1967. Raccoon use of large tree cavities and ground burrows. J. Wildl. Mgt. 31(4):706-714. Bider, J. R., P. Thibault. and R. Sarrazin. 1968. Activity of the raccoon. Mammalia. 32(2):137-163. Burt, W. H. 1940. Territorial behavior and populations of some small mammals in Southern Michigan. Univ. of Michigan Zool. Misc. Publ. No. 45. 58 pp. Butterfield, R. T. 1944. Populations, hunting pressure and movements of Ohio raccoons. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Nat. Res. Conf. 9:337-344. Cauley, D. L. 1974. Habitat requirements of four selected species in the urban environment. Ph.D. thesis, Michigan State University, 66 pp. (Unpublished). Cochran, W. W., and R. D. Lord, Jr. 1963. A radio-tracking system for wild animals. J. Wildl. Mgt. 27(1):9-24. Dorney, R. S. 1954. Ecology of marsh raccoons. J. Wildl. Mgt. 18(2): 217-225. ' Ellis, R. J. 1964. Tracking raccoons by radio. J. Wildl. Mgt. 28(2): 363-368. Findley, J. S., A. H. Harris, 0. E. Wilson, and C. Jones. 1975. Mammals of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, N. Mexico. 360 pp. Fitch, H. S. 1958. Home ranges, territories and seasonal movements of vertebrates of the Natural History Reservation. Univ. of Kansas Museum Nat. Hist. 11(3):63-326. ‘ 40 41 Frampton, J. E. 1973. Preliminary report on the movement and fate of raccoons released in unfamiliar territory. S.E. Assoc. Game and Fish Comm. Proc. 27:170-183. Giles, L. W. 1942. Utilization of rock exposures for den and escape cover by raccoons. Amer. Midl. Nat. 27:171-176. . 1943. Evidence of raccoon mobility obtained by tagging. J. Wildl. Mgt. 7(2):235. Grinnell, J., J. 3. Dixon, and J. M. Linsdale. 1937. Fur-bearing mammals of California. Vol. 1. University of California Press, Berkely, California. 375 pp. Llewelyn, L. M., and C. G. Webster. 1960. Raccoon predation on water- fowl. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Nat. Res. Conf. 25:180-185. Mech, L. D., J. R. Tester, and D. W. Warner. 1966. Fall daytime rest- ing habits of raccoons as determined by telemetry. J. Mamm. 47 (3):450-466. Peterson, R. L. 1966. Mammals of Eastern Canada. Oxford University Press, Toronto. 465 pp. Sanderson, G. C. 1951. The status of the raccoon in Iowa for the past twenty years as revealed by fur reports. Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci. 58:527-531. . 1966. The study of mammal movements--a review. J. Wildl. Mgt. 30(1):215-235. Schoonover, L. J., and W. H. Marshall. 1951. Food habits of the raccoon in north-central Minnesota. J. Mamm. 32(4):422-428. Scott, T. G. 1937. Mammals of Iowa. Iowa College J. of Sci. 12(1): 43—97. Seton, E. T. 1929. Lives of game animals. Doubleday-Doran and Company, Inc. Garden City, New York. ' Sharp, W. M., and L. H. Sharp. 1956. Nocturnal movements and behavior of wild raccoons at a winter feeding station. J. Mamm. 37(2): 170-177. Sonenshine, D. E., and E. L. Winslow. 1972. Contrasts in distribution of raccoons in two Virginia localities. J. Wildl. Mgt. 36(3): 838-847. Sowls, L. K. 1949. Notes on the raccoon (Procyon lotor hirtus) in Manitoba. J. Mamm. 30(3):313-314. . Stains, H. J. 1956. The raccoon in Kansas. Univ. Kans. Mus. Nat. Hist. and State Biol. Surv., Misc. Publ. #10, 76 pp. 42 Steuwer, F. W. 1943. Raccoons: Their habits and management in Michigan. Ecol. Mono. l3(2):203-257. Stromborg, K. L. 1970. Raccoon movements in a southern Michigan agri- cultural upland. M.S. thesis, Michigan State University, 51 pp. (Unpublished). Tester, J. R., and D. B. Siniff. 1965. Aspects of animal movement and home range data obtained by telemetry. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Nat. Res. Conf. 30:379—392. Turkowski, F. J., and L. D. Mech. 1968. Radio-tracking the movements of a young male raccoon. J. Minn. Acad. Sci. 35(1):33-38. Urban, 0. 1970. Raccoon populations, movement patterns and predation on a managed waterfowl marsh. J. Wildl. Mgt. 34(2):372-382. WIDSIOW, EL L., and D. E. Sonenshine. 1971. Trap manifested behavior and distribution in two natural areas of Virginia as related to available foods. Va. J. Sci. 22(3):103. "IIIIIIIIIIIIII'IIIII