raccoon_coyotefinalproj

**By Chandler Hotchkiss** 7th Period-Freshwater Ecology 2007
 * __Coyotes and Raccoons Independent Research Project__**

Picture credit: http://www.ics.uci.edu/~eppstein/pix/peninsula/CoyotePtZoo-m.jpg P.C.: http://www.myraccoons.com/images/raccoon-mom-and-baby-0567.jpg


 * Question:** What is the difference between the diet, or appetite, of a coyote and the diet of a raccoon living in a freshwater environment?


 * Hypothesis:** I believe the coyote will have a more specific, meat oriented diet, while a raccoon’s diet will be more diverse and also include fruit and vegetable, along with some meat because I think that raccoons are scavengers.


 * Goal:** My goal was to learn through research, observations, and personal analysis what distinguishes the diet of freshwater coyotes and raccoons and how these two animals affect a freshwater environment.


 * Research:** I did basic research via the internet and book sources that gave me a large chunk of my information. As I learned more and more about the diets of both animals, I was able to draw conlcusions about each.  For instance, I was able to tell that they both had very similar diets, as far as what they eat, but the coyote is a much more meat dependent eater.  They are both scavengers, but the raccoon is more of a scavenger because they rarely hunt for their own food (2).  As I continued my research, I tried to learn about all the aspects of the animals, so that I might further understand how their diet and appetite affects a freshwater environment.  I learned about the tracks and living corridors of each.  Here are some pictures of both their tracks and dens.

~Raccoon Tracks and Dens~

P.C.:http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/raccoon.gif P.C.:http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/preserves/images/fototrax.jpg P.C.:http://waddell.ci.manchester.ct.us/nature-center/images/tracking/sign-raccoon-den.JPG

~Coyote Tracks and Dens~

P.C.:http://z.about.com/d/hunting/1/0/z/coyote3.jpg P.C.-http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/coyote.gif P.C.:http://www.coyotecanada.ca/coyote_den_I.jpg


 * Procedure:** My approach was just to research, research, research. Also, I attempted to locate these animals in a freshwater environment.  I did find a lot of tracks for both animals and a possible raccoon den.  I did observe a coyote on the side of the road one night for about ten minutes, as well.  Also, I did interview an a mammal expert from the Nashville Zoo, Edwin Swindlehurst (8).

~Coyotes~ The coyote, //canis latrans//, which in Latin means “barking dog,” is a carnivorous mammal that is a member of the canine family. Coyotes are only found in North America and Central America, including as far north as Alaska (4).
 * Information Collected**

-Appetite: Coyotes are true scavengers and will eat almost anything. Through research and observations, I believe that they have one of the most diverse diets of mammals. This is because they do not have particular preferences, and their meals, both prey and food found, are random. They will eat animals, vegetables, fruit, or anything else that can satisfy their appetite. Most of their meals come from small rodents and rabbits just because they are easily available to them (3).

-Predators: Wolves (5).

~Raccoons~ The raccoon, //Procyon lotor//, is a mammal native only to the continent of North America. The original habitat of the first raccoons is in and surrounding freshwater environments. However, urbanization has pushed many raccoons into a foreign habitat, which explains why the life span of raccoons in freshwater environments is around three years longer (4).

-Appetite: Raccoons thrive off the water in freshwater environments for their diet. They feed along streams, ponds, rivers, and creeks. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and non-meats. They mostly eat things such as fruits, grains, nuts, frogs, crayfish, birds, and anything else that is available and small enough for them to consume (7).

-Drousing:Raccoons often dip their food into the water before they eat. This action if dipping the food into the water, called drousing, has never been scientifically explained, but it is most likely just a habit for cleaning the food and making it moister for easier consumption (7).

-Predators: The most common predators of raccoons are dogs, both wild and domestic and their relatives such as coyotes and wolves. However, raccoons can be very vicious and are not often preyed upon when other prey are available (4).

~Comparison of Two Diets~ --Differences-- Obviously, coyotes and raccoons each have their own distinct diet. Coyotes diet is definitely one that is more meat oriented at a ninety percent mammalian rate. Through observations and research, I would say that about a third of a raccoons diet is meat, while the rest comes from gathered fruits, vegetables, etcetera (4). Coyotes are obviously considered more meat oriented by scientists since they are classified as carnivores, while raccoons have been classified as omnivores. I think that if a fair assumption that coyotes hunt for their meals more than raccoons.

--Similarities-- There are also similarities between the diets of coyotes and raccoons. Both carry a diet that involves both mean and non-meats, such as fruits and vegetables. The raccoon is the epitome of a scavenger, but also coyotes are definite scavengers to, eating anything that they come across and desire to consume. Each animal is a big consumer of fresh, sweet fruit (2).


 * Conclusion**

~How They Affect a Freshwater Environment~ The affect raccoons and coyotes have upon their freshwater environments is vital. Each is another member of the food chain of a freshwater environment, which helps regulate animal populations because each is a predator. Specifically, both coyotes and raccoons can help keep a freshwater environment clean because they are willing to eat remains out of the water and the environment. They not only complete and are major parts of the food chain, but also they help to control the cleanliness of the environment (2).

~Analysis of Hypothesis~ The affect raccoons and coyotes have upon their freshwater environments is vital. Each is another member of the food chain of a freshwater environment, which helps regulate animal populations because each is a predator. Specifically, both coyotes and raccoons can help keep a freshwater environment clean because they are willing to eat remains out of the water and the environment. They not only complete and are major parts of the food chain, but also they help to control the cleanliness of the environment (2).


 * How to Better This Project/What Should You Do Differently?**

The main thing I would suggest is a more hands-on approach. While the topic was still interesting, it would of been far more interesting to study while in the presence of the animal or atleast in their habitat more often than I was. It would be ideal to be able observe these animals, either in captivity or in the wild. I believe the more observations of the animal, the more qualified you would be to make judgements and analysis on their behaviors and habitats. The more you could be around the animals, the better it would be.


 * Raccoon and Coyote Videos**

Raccoon eats berries: http://youtube.com/watch?v=56fWE9dqt5c

Mossy Oak's Raccoon vs. Deer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=X08-dpu8GRI

Wolf vs. 2 Coyotes: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rEB30KLpTMs

Injured Coyote Scavenging for Food: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0XAkha8ZYsc


 * Body Structures**

P.C.:http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cgifs/Coyote_bw.GIF

P.C.: http://www.soappuppy.com/wolf/big/1skel.jpg

P.C.:http://nabell1.tripod.com/nppp/racoon1.jpg

P.C.:http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/4892/raccoonskeletonum1.jpg

P.C.: http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Bill-Ivy/Baby-Raccoon-Print-C10001415.jpeg

P.C.:http://www.coyoterescue.org/photos/Mayetta.jpg


 * Resources**

-Works Cited 1. Content Answers.com. 2 Feb. 2002. 10 Nov. 2007 .

2.Craib, Emma. Manchester Web Site. Center for Environmental Education. 15 Nov. 2007 .

3.Lasouris, Nick. Endangered Animals of the World. 5 Apr. 2004. 4 Dec. 2007 .

4."Mammals." San Diego Natural History Museum. 19 Nov. 2007 .

5.Mitchell, John. Complete Guide to Mammals. New York, NY: Glencoe Inc., 2003. Morabito, Seth. The World Wide Raccoon Web. 7 Apr. 1999. 14 Nov. 2007 .

6.Ontario Wildflower.com. 4 Mar. 2006. 17 Nov. 2007 .

7."Raccoons." Badger-Basin.com Hunting Information. 15 Nov. 2007 .

8.Swindlehurst, Edwin. E-mail interview. 7 Dec. 2007.