Citation. Mech, L. D.; Barnes, D. M.; Tester, J. R. 1968. Seasonal weight changes, mortality, and population structure of raccoons in Minnesota. Journal of Mammalogy 49(1):63-73.   [1431  CC]

Abstract. A population of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in east-central Minnesota was studied from September 1964 through October 1966. Sixty-three individuals were radio-tagged, and an automatic tracking system monitored their presence in the population for 3367 raccoon days for yearlings and adults and 3518 days for juveniles. Data are presented on weight loss and mortality in this population. Juveniles, yearlings, and adults lost about half their weight during winter dormancy, and many juveniles died from starvation and parasitism, the most important mortality factors in this relatively unhunted population. Late winter and early spring were the most critical periods for juveniles. Limited data on population structure indicated an even ratio of yearlings to adults and an even sex ratio in yearlings and adults, although there was a heavy bias toward males in a sample of 20 raccoons born on the study area in 1965.

Keywords. raccoon, Procyon lotor, radiotelemetry, mortality factors