Sex-biased response of raccoons (Procyon lotor) to live traps

Heterogeneity of response to traps has important implications when interpreting mark-recapture data. We used radiotelemetry to investigate variations in recapture probability for adult raccoons (Procyon lotor) during live trapping conducted in S Texas from 1990-1992. Both sexes had higher recapture rates in winter/spring trapping periods than summer/autumn (males P < 0.001, females P < 0.001). Adult males were consistently captured more frequently than adult females in all trapping periods. There was a higher proportion of 'available' males captured while some females avoided capture. In addition to differences in movement patterns, intersexual behavioral differences in response to live traps were suggested.