ECOLOGIC RELATIONSHIPS OF COOCCURRING POPULATIONS OF OPOSSUMS (DIDELPHIS-VIRGINIANA) AND RACCOONS (PROCYON-LOTOR) IN TENNESSEE

Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) were studied at two sites in Tennessee using mark-recapture techniques. Winter density, relationship of trap success with selected habitat variables, interspecific association, and the degree of mutual habitat utilization were determined. Density of opossums was estimated as one animal/9.9 ha at one site and one animal/44.5 ha at the second location. Abundance of raccoons was estimated as one animal/70.4 ha at one site and one animal/34.5 ha at the other. Number of opossums and raccoons was not significantly correlated with any of the habitat variables measured at either site. Interspecific association values for co-occurring populations were 0.111 and 0.267; these values were not statistically significant and indicated that opossums and raccoons occurred independently of one another in regard to spatial distribution. Both species exhibited a wide range of ecological tolerance for habitat.