Comparison from Radiotracking of Movements and Denning Habits of the Raccoon, Striped Skunk, and Opossum in Northeastern Kansas

摘要: A comparative study of spatial relationships the opossum ( Didelphis marsupialis ), raccoon Procyon lotor and striped skunk Mephitis mephitis ) was made on University Kansas Natural History Reservation, an area deciduous woodland, brush grassland. Thirty-nine animals, including 27 opossums, eight raccoons four skunks, were each equipped with small radio transmitters trailed to their dens over periods ranging from 2 239 days. Each animal found use a series well-situated den used by many different individuals. Sometimes two or several animals simultaneously; one occasion known have same simultaneously period Whereas skunks are somewhat social, opossums generally solitary instances co-occupancy could be attributed either chance sexual attraction. Average occupancy 1.5 days for 2.2 both opossums. The average shift between successive 1430 feet raccoon, 1359 990 opossum. most underground situated along hilltop limestone outcrop. Raccoons often spent day in trees, sometimes cavities but more exposed situations such as top platform old squirrel nest. Sign indicated that all three species chiefly work skunk.