Date Approved
8-18-2026
Graduate Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Biology (M.S.)
Degree Program
Biology
First Advisor
Paul Keenlance
Second Advisor
Jennifer Moore
Third Advisor
Alexandra Locher
Fourth Advisor
Joseph Jacquot
Academic Year
2025/2026
Abstract
Northern raccoons (Procyon lotor) are among the most numerous mesopredators in North America. They are highly adaptable, can take advantage of a wide variety of resources, and have flexible life history requirements. Consequently, raccoons are relatively insulated from anthropogenic disturbances, allowing them to maintain and often increase their abundances. This is problematic because it alters predator-prey relationships and can lead to higher predation rates on their prey species. Several prey species include freshwater turtles, an often already vulnerable group of organisms. Further predation pressure can add additional stress to their populations. Habitat management that aims to relieve this pressure can have unknown or understudied effects on predators like the raccoon. Our study sought to explain resting and foraging habitat selection of raccoons in a landscape managed for oak-pine barren restoration. We live-trapped raccoons, fit them with VHF-GPS collars, and tracked them every one to two weeks. We developed multiple binomial and conditional regression models to explain habitat selection and avoidance patterns. We also compared used habitat to available habitat across multiple scales to analyze how raccoons interact with managed areas. We found that, generally, raccoons chose habitat closer to management units and preferred habitat along edges, ecotones, and transitions from wetland to forest. This information is crucial to better develop and assess habitat management strategies and estimate predation risk to turtles, hatchings, and turtle nests.
ScholarWorks Citation
Huberts, Annah, "Spatial Ecology of Northern Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Northwest Michigan: a predator among prey" (2026). Masters Theses. 1203.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/1203
