Activity patterns and social organization of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in East Texas

Motion-sensor cameras provide several benefits for research not available through mark-recapture and other more traditional methods of assessment of medium-sized mammals. Urban systems provide unique pressures on a population that can alter the activity of the population. The current study investigates the activity and social organization of raccoons taken in photos from cameras located in a small urban system on the Environmental Studies Area of East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX (32°33’N; 942°2’W). Multiple raccoons were in close enough proximity to be in a single photo on 33 occasions. Seven photos exhibited mating behaviour. Mating behaviour occurred on the site between 26 Sep. and 27 Feb. Monthly activity periods concurred with previously reported activity from Sep. - May. Activity during the summer months (Jun. – Aug.) showed a shift towards sunset away from ca. 2300 h.