#Raccoon predators full#

It is possible that coyotes could function ecologically as a replacement for extirpated red wolves. Mesopredators (e.g., raccoons ( Procyon lotor)) compete with coyotes for access to some of the same foods, while potentially serving as a coyote food themselves. However, less attention has been afforded to coyote effects on other taxa, including mesopredators. Indeed, considering the economic value of white-tailed deer (deer Odocoileus virginianus) and deer hunting in the southeastern U.S., studies of direct and nonconsumptive effects of coyotes on deer populations have garnered notable interest recently. Given evidence that coyotes can affect the occupancy of herbivorous mammals, it is possible their presence could have wide-reaching effects on food webs through trophic cascades. Coyote expansion into the southeastern United States has been much more recent, and coyotes potentially play a role as apex predator by replacing the mountain lions ( Puma concolor) and red wolves ( Canis rufus) that were extirpated from the region. Thus, our study indicates that nonconsumptive effects of coyotes on raccoons are unlikely, which calls into question the ability of coyotes to initiate strong trophic cascades through some mesocarnivores.Ĭoyotes ( Canis latrans) dramatically expanded their range in North America over the past two centuries, potentially allowing them to serve as the top terrestrial predator in many areas. Activity pattern results provided further evidence that raccoons do not appear to fear coyotes, as both species were active at the same time and showed a high degree of overlap (Δ = 0.75) with little evidence of temporal segregation in activity. Overall, raccoons did not appear to exhibit high levels of vigilance. Raccoons and coyotes demonstrated nocturnal activity patterns, with coyotes more likely to be active during daylight hours.

#Raccoon predators full#

Raccoons were more vigilant during full moon and diurnal hours but less vigilant as group size increased and when other species were present. Overall, raccoons were vigilant 46% of the time while foraging at baited sites. Additionally, we created raccoon and coyote activity patterns from the camera trap data by fitting density functions based on circular statistics and calculating the coefficient of overlap (Δ). We used camera traps at baited sites to quantify vigilance behavior of feeding raccoons and used binomial logistic regression to analyze the effects of social and environmental factors.

Coyotes ( Canis latrans) recently expanded into the eastern United States, and raccoons ( Procyon lotor) are a common mesocarnivore that potentially serve as competitors and food for coyotes. There are actually quite a number of rabbit predators I need to worry about if I want to keep my fluffy-eared besties safe.Nonconsumptive effects of predators potentially have negative fitness consequences on prey species through changes in prey behavior.

It seems that snakes aren’t my only concern whereas my pet bunnies are concerned. Final Thoughts About Animals That Prey on Rabbits

The Rabbit Advocacy Network states that rabbit meat products slaughter at least 1.2 billion rabbits, equating to 200 million tons of rabbit meat. Since we eat rabbit meat, we are considered rabbit predators, and based on how many rabbits we slaughter, we might be the main rabbit predator. Humans may not always hunt rabbits, but we breed them for commercial slaughter. Predatory instincts: Hunt, kill, and eat rabbits Time most active: Depends on the snake, but usually when it’s coolest like dusk or dawnĪrea commonly found: Central Texas has the most snakes all other states in the USA except for Alaska and Hawaii Here are the most common predators that prey on rabbits: 1. I’ve also included where the predator is mostly found so you’ll know if the animal is a threat. In the wild, if the animal is most active during dusk and dawn, then there’s a high probability that the predator will run across a wild rabbit that’s also crepuscular.

Final Thoughts About Animals That Prey on Rabbits 25 Animals That Prey on Rabbitsįor each rabbit predator, I’ve included when the animal is most active.