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Ackerman, B.B.; Lindzey, F.G.; Hemker, T.P.
Cougar food habits in Southern Utah
1984 Journal of Wildlife Management (48): 147-155
Diets of cougars (_Felis concolor_) were studied from December 1978 to August 1981, on a 4,500 km2 study area near Escalante, Utah. Prey eaten by cougars was estimated from analysis of 112 animals consumed as prey and from 239 cougar scats. Composition of diet was corrected based on feeding trials using captive cougars. Mule deer (_Odocoileus hemionus_) were found to be the major prey item, 81% of biomass consumed. Lagomorphs, large rodents, and smaller predators were also important components of the diet. Cattle comprised less than 1%, although they were abundant on the cougars' summer range. Age structure of deer killed by cougars indicated that older (>7 years) deer were killed more often than expected (P < 0.005).
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