Anthropogenic Influences on Raccoon Problem-Solving Characteristics
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The Honors project is potentially the most valuable component of an Honors education. Typically Honors students choose to do their projects in their area of study, but some will pick a topic of interest unrelated to their major.
The Honors Program requires that the project be presented at a poster presentation event. Poster presentations are held each semester. Most students present during their senior year, but may do so earlier if their honors project has been completed.
This site presents project descriptions and selected posters for Honors projects completed since the Fall 2015 semester.
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Abstract
Considered generalists, raccoons are extremely adaptable and often regarded as nuisances due to their tendency to scavenge in dumpsters and garbage cans. Because the relationship between humans and raccoons is not unilateral, it is important to study the effect human-dominated environments have on raccoon ecology. In order to better understand these anthropogenic influences, raccoon problem-solving characteristics were evaluated in both suburban and natural settings. To do this, baited puzzle boxes were provided to the raccoons and motion-activated cameras were set to record any disturbance. The study found that raccoons from the natural site solved the food puzzles in fewer nights, in less time per attempt, and in fewer interactions with the box than raccoons from the suburban site, although these results were not statistically significant. This suggests that further research is necessary to determine the mechanism driving this relationship and whether the relationship applies universally to raccoon ecology or whether the results are only an isolated incidence.