Université de Sherbrooke
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Fanie Pelletier
Start: 2011-09-01
End: 2013-12-18

Project

Effect of anthropogenic activity on growth and body condition of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in southern Quebec
Most species have been negatively affected by environmental changes caused by an increase in human activities (anthropogenic activity). However, some species appear to be benefitting from these changes. The raccoon is one of those species. Geographic distribution of the raccoon seems be limited on its northern front because of decreased food availability, long hard winters, and their limited ability to store fat - the energetic resource required to survive winter. But, many artificial food sources, like refuse containers and crop fields, are available in anthropogenic habitats. My research project is to evaluate this anthropogenic influence on the raccoon's physical conditions and growth. Using weight and morphometrics, I will analyze the raccoon’s measurements. These measurements will then be evaluated against the human occupation incidence in the raccoon’s habitat.

Keywords

anthropogenic activity, growth and body mass, reproduction, artificial food sources, ecology, procyon lotor