IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group Library

IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library

View printer friendly
Pierce, B.M.; Bleich, V.C.; Chetkiewicz, C.L.B.; Wehausen, J.D.
Timing of feeding bouts of mountain lions
1998 Journal of Mammalogy (79): 222-226
Onset of feeding by mountain lions (_Puma concolor_) on individual prey was studied with an automatic camera near mule deer (_Odocoileus hemionus_) that had been killed and cached by mountain lions. We categorized mountain lions as adult males, adult females, females with juveniles, and females with kittens. After sunset, females with kittens returned to kills significantly earlier than males, females, or females with juveniles. Early feeding by females with kittens might reflect avoidance of conspecifics, which are known to kill kittens. Alternatively, mothers with young kittens may remain closer to caches of prey than lone males, females, or mothers with young kittens may remain closer to caches of prey than lone males, females, or mothers with juveniles. Increased energetic needs of lactating mothers also may dictate earlier feeding.
	PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here