Seasonal Spatial Ecology of Mountain Lions (Puma concolor) in the Central Sierra Nevada

Seasonal Spatial Ecology of Mountain Lions (Puma concolor) in the Central Sierra Nevada

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) were captured and radio-collared in the Sierra National Forest between 1983 and 1992 to study the species' seasonal spatial patterns in a location where migratory mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are its primary prey. Some mountain lions displayed seasonal migrator...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Western North American naturalist Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 143 - 156
Main Authors: Dellinger, Justin A., Loft, Eric R., Bertram, Ronald C., Neal, Donald L., Kenyon, Marc W., Torres, Steven G.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Provo Brigham Young University 01-08-2018
Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University
Western North American Naturalist
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Animal populations
Carnivores
Deer
Ecology
Elevation
Environmental aspects
Environmental protection
Forests
Habitats
Home range
National forests
Odocoileus hemionus
Population
Population density
Prey
Puma concolor
Pumas
Residential density
Society
Summer
Wildlife conservation
Winter
United States
Sacramento California
California
United States > US
Nevada
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Summary:Mountain lions (Puma concolor) were captured and radio-collared in the Sierra National Forest between 1983 and 1992 to study the species' seasonal spatial patterns in a location where migratory mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are its primary prey. Some mountain lions displayed seasonal migratory shifts in elevation that mirrored those of their migratory prey; others resided at lower elevations year-round. Home range size for all mountain lions was larger in summer ( = 231 km2) than in winter ( = 110 km2), whether or not an individual exhibited seasonal migratory shifts in elevation. Due to seasonal shifts in home range size and, for part of the mountain lion population, in elevation, minimum density of mountain lions in the study area also differed seasonally (summer, 0.87 per 100 km2; winter, 1.42 per 100 km2). Overall, these findings demonstrate differing space use strategies (migratory vs. resident) within a large carnivore population that have important management implications for large carnivores because these strategies provide context for population monitoring and conflict mitigation efforts.
ISSN:1527-0904
1944-8341
DOI:10.3398/064.078.0205