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Food habits of the raccoon in eastern Texas

January 1, 1945

The food habits of raccoons were studied along the Neches River in three counties of eastern Texas in 1940-42. Field studies mere supplemented by laboratory analyses of 344 scats collected in all months and of 23 stomachs and 11 intestines obtained in winter. Acorns and crayfish constitute more than half of the yearly diet and both are consumed in considerable amount at all seasons. Persimmons and grapes were utilized heavily when available and other fruits in smaller amounts. Insects and other invertebrates formed an important part of the diet. Vertebrates were eaten sparingly but species of water snakes were preyed upon as were winter and spring concentrations of water fowl.....Raccoons were found to concentrate in timbered river bottoms during the winter and spring, feeding largely on acorns and crayfish. Under these conditions they are readily trapped. In the summer and autumn the populations appear to be dispersed through the uplands as well as bottomlands in search of seasonal foods.

Publication Year 1945
Title Food habits of the raccoon in eastern Texas
Authors R.H. Baker, C.C. Newman, F. Wilke
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Wildlife Management
Index ID 5220810
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
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