Habitat Use Raccoons are highly adaptable and use a range of habitats, including forests, wetlands, agricultural fields, and even suburban areas.
Movement Patterns The size of raccoons' home ranges can vary widely based on habitat quality and food availability. In rural areas, ranges tend to be larger due to the lower density of food resources.
Population Dynamics Rural areas often have lower raccoon population densities compared to urban or suburban areas due to the availability of resources and human influence.
Ecological Interactions Raccoons face predation from larger carnivores such as coyotes and bobcats. They also compete with other mesocarnivores for food resources.
Human-Wildlife Interactions Understanding raccoon spatial ecology is crucial for developing effective management and conservation strategies, especially in balancing human-wildlife interactions and mitigating conflicts.
Research Methods Researchers use various methods such as radio telemetry, GPS collars, and camera traps to study raccoon movement and behavior.