Wild_BlueMan
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Oct 2009
Location: SW Minnesota
Posts: 74 |
quote:
Originally posted by Oak Ridge
I can't prove it scientifically, but I truly believe that there are sub-species of coon in different parts of the country.
I've hunted in Mississippi and the coon are tiny even when full grown compared to the coon in the northern parts of the country.
Coon in the north spend a great deal of time "preparing" for winter. They eat lots of grain and berries all summer long in preparation for a long hard winter. They are cousins to the bear, and do in fact have periods of semi-hibernation in the winter.
Winter, spring, summer, and fall, the coon in the northern regions don't have to work as hard for food and/or water. They don't have to travel as far to take care of their needs. Southern coon, while an overall smaller population, tend to feed and "stir" nearly every night, while norther coon build a huge layer of fat to carry them over the winter. There is really no need for them to "stir" nightly, especially when sudden weather changes make it uncomfortable.
30 degrees in late September is different to a coon than 30 degrees in mid January in your part of the country.
The one thing that upsets this balance is the rut. Coon will move regardless of the temperature, moon, or just about anything else during this period. This is approaching in our area fast...
There are several things that affect all animals movement...temperature being only one of them.
As two toes stated, Bergemans rule is responsible for the northern coon being larger. It states that mammalian species in colder climates tend to have larger bodies to help conserve body heat in the winter. The effect is a smaller volume to surface area ratio. Northern mammals eat more but have less energy consumption. Also our hides are thicker due to the brutal weather.
The sub-species thought is somewhat correct. Like you said, the size seems to be the only distinguishing characteristic. Genetically they are all the same in North America. Only sub-species are those on Carribean islands.
The bear thought is only due to the first taxanomic analysis. In 1758 it classified as Ursus lotor because of similarities to the Black bear, and Griz (Ursus americanus and Ursus arctos). Later, it was later classified in the family Procyonidae. Raccoons are the only members of this family in North America.
True hibernation is not done by raccoons or bears even. Bears its a torpor, similar to bats. Body temp goes down, but not as much as true hibernation. Raccoons body temperature actually rises when they den up. Mostly in winter they den in old barns or under brush, but they do have to eat and drink. So there is movement, just not very far.
After all my reasearch, and own limited experience it seems like if the temp is below 15 the movement ceases. If its cold for 4 days and warms up, you can tree lots. This is during the middle of winter. Rut starts up here around the middle of February, during that time everything changes. Hope some of this helps.
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Last edited by Wild_BlueMan on 12-13-2009 at 06:29 PM
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12-12-2009 07:43 PM
!!
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