How Raccoon Dogs Choose Their Homes and Move Around Using GPS Data

Jenn Hoskins
15th June, 2024

How Raccoon Dogs Choose Their Homes and Move Around Using GPS Data

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study in Denmark found that raccoon dogs prefer peatbogs, marshes, and broadleaf tree cover, while avoiding water bodies, artificial surfaces, and cultivated areas
  • Raccoon dogs in Denmark are most active at night throughout the year, with the highest travel speeds in spring and the lowest in winter
  • Raccoon dogs move slower in preferred habitats and faster in less favored ones, adjusting their movement patterns based on seasonal changes and habitat preferences
The Asiatic raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) has successfully established itself in Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe following introductions in the 20th century. Despite efforts to control its spread, the ecological impacts of this species remain partially understood and a topic of debate. A recent study conducted by researchers at Aarhus University aims to shed light on the habitat preferences and movement patterns of raccoon dogs in Denmark using GPS telemetry data[1]. The study examined seasonal habitat selection using Jacob’s electivity index, which measures the preference or avoidance of specific habitats. Additionally, the researchers analyzed movement intensity, represented by travel speed, in relation to temporal and environmental factors such as time of day, time of year, and habitat type. The findings revealed that raccoon dogs in Denmark show a strong preference for peatbogs, marshes, and broadleaf tree cover, while avoiding water bodies, artificial surfaces, natural material surfaces, cultivated areas, coniferous tree cover, and herbaceous vegetation. Their habitat usage remained largely consistent across seasons, with only minor shifts observed from November to February. The study also found that raccoon dogs exhibit a unimodal nocturnal activity pattern throughout the year, with the highest mean travel speeds occurring in spring and the lowest in winter. Higher mean daily speeds were noted during autumn. Furthermore, travel speeds varied according to habitat type, with raccoon dogs moving slower in preferred habitats and faster in less favored ones. These results suggest that raccoon dogs in Denmark adjust their habitat selection and movement patterns based on seasonal changes and habitat preferences, favoring moist areas with high tree coverage. These findings align with previous research on raccoon dogs in other regions. For instance, a study on raccoon dogs at their invasion front in northern Sweden found that both male and female raccoon dogs exhibited diurnal movement patterns, with more directional and faster movement during the dark hours[2]. This study also highlighted the lack of sex differences in movement patterns, suggesting that both sexes disperse throughout the year, which increases the likelihood of reproductive events far from the source population. The consistency in movement patterns observed in Denmark supports the notion that raccoon dogs adjust their behavior based on environmental conditions and habitat availability. Moreover, the preference for specific habitats observed in Denmark is consistent with findings from other regions. A review of the raccoon dog's colonization in Europe noted that their adaptability, high reproductive potential, and tendency to wander have contributed to their successful expansion[3]. The preference for moist and high tree coverage areas in Denmark further underscores the species' adaptability to different environments. The study's use of GPS telemetry data to analyze habitat selection and movement patterns is in line with previous research on vertebrate movement ecology. For example, a study on deer populations in the Netherlands and Canada used GPS tracking data to calculate the speed of the animals as a measure of activity, revealing differences in daily and seasonal activity patterns[4]. Similarly, the use of GPS data in the current study provides valuable insights into the behavior and ecology of raccoon dogs in Denmark. Overall, the findings from this study contribute to our understanding of raccoon dog behavior and ecology, particularly in terms of habitat preferences and movement patterns. This information can be utilized in forecasting models to predict the potential future range and area use of raccoon dogs in different regions. By identifying preferred habitats and understanding movement patterns, conservationists and wildlife managers can develop more effective strategies to monitor and control the spread of this invasive species.

WildlifeEcologyAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Habitat selection and movement patterns of the Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Denmark using GPS telemetry data

Published 14th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-024-01803-5

Related Studies

2) Lack of sex-specific movement patterns in an alien species at its invasion front - consequences for invasion speed.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2300

3) Invasion of the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides in Europe: History of colonization, features behind its success, and threats to native fauna.

https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/57.5.584

4) GPS based daily activity patterns in European red deer and North American elk (Cervus elaphus): indication for a weak circadian clock in ungulates.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0106997


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