 Raccoons easily adapt to environmental change, and have thrived in the traditional woodrat habitat, increasing infection by the parasite, which enters woodrats because they eat the plant and seed material in raccoon feces.Another frequently cited cause is near total loss of American chestnuts caused by chestnut blight and of defoliation of oaks by an invasion of gypsy moths (lowering available supplies of acorns for woodrats).Increased competition for acorns with overabundant white-tailed deer, and increasing populations of black bear and turkey may also have a negative impact on woodrat survival.