IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group Library

IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library

View printer friendly
Godbois, I.A.; Conner, L.M.; Warren, R.J.
Space use patterns of Bobcats relative to supplemental feeding of northern Bobwhites
2004 Journal of Wildlife Management (68): 514-518
In the southeastern United States, supplemental feeding of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) ia a common management practice. To determine whether bobcats (Lynx rufus) are attracted to supplemental food provided to northern bobwhites and whether this food affects bobcat home-range size, we radiomarked bobcats and assessed space use relative to supplemental feeding. We found little evidence to suggest that bobcat home-range sizes were affected by the supplemental food, but we observed bobcats to be approximately 10 times closer to supplemental food than expected under a null model. Our data suggest that supplemental feeding of prey can result in a spatial response by predators. Further research is needed to determine whether supplemental feeding of prey attracts other top predators and whether supplemental feeding results in decreased prey survival by attracting predators.
	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