WALKER: HABITAT USE BY RACCOONS


particular habitat type. Swamp specialists were males #8, 12, and 18, and females
#2, 5, 9, 19, 21, 28, and 29. Females #3 and 13 were hammock specialists. No
raccoons had a majority of locations in any of the other three habitat types. The
remaining raccoons had locations distributed more evenly over more than one
habitat type.
 Two of the more open habitat types, the sandhill and the clear-water lake
meadows, were used more for foraging than expected, and the swamp, the most
dense habitat type, was used more for resting than expected. This appears to
indicate that raccoon distribution is restricted by availability of cover and
protective rest sites. However, as raccoons at the Ordway, especially the males, did
not tend to use rest sites that afforded much protection from adverse weather
conditions (see Rest Site Use discussion below), perhaps protection from current
and historic predators could be the explanation for this pattern of habitat use.
Current raccoon predators at the Ordway are packs of domestic dogs from
bordering areas and alligators, and historic predators included the Florida panther
and humans.


 Rest Site Use


 Due to the mild climate of north-central Florida, raccoons in this area are
probably not limited by availability of den sites that provide adequate protection
from adverse weather, as they are in some areas in the northern parts of their range
(Stuewer 1943). Although this study doesn't provide year-round information on
rest-site use, during the wintertime, the coldest time of the year, both males and
females were often found resting in the open on branches of trees, in places that
offered very little protection from the elements, but allowed them to absorb the rays
of the winter sun.
 Males used less-protected sites on branches and in the crotch of trees more
than females, and females used tree cavities more than males. Females were also
less likely to use ground rest sites. They used larger trees than males, although the
size difference was not significant. This preference for a more protective
environment is consistent with their smaller body size (Walker 1993) and their
need to protect their young from the weather and from predators. However, the use
of smaller trees and fewer tree cavities by males may be a result of their greater use
of the sandhills, where average tree diameter is probably smaller and tree cavities
much less available. Data on the distribution of rest sites available for males and
females would be necessary to make any conclusions.
 The preference for trees as rest sites exhibited by raccoons at the Ordway also
has been reported in other areas (Worley 1980; Rabinowitz and Pelton 1986;
Allsbrooks and Kennedy 1987), although in most areas other types of rest sites are
preferred (Butterfield 1944; Mech et al. 1966; Urban 1970; Hoffmann and


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