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| Elizalde-Arellano, C.; L˘pez-Vidal, J.C.; Hern ndez Garcia, L.; Laundr‚, J.W. | |
| Energy Needs of Bobcats (_Lynx rufus_) in an Arid Environment in M‚xico | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Most felids, as is the case for bobcats (_Lynx rufus_), meet their daily energy demands through a strict meat diet. Thus the energetic demand for bobcats dictates the number and types of prey an individual needs to capture and consequently the survival of individuals in an area. In extreme desert environments little is known about the energetic demand of this species. We estimated energy demand of bobcats in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico by first estimating their daily activity levels with GPS collars. We then estimated the energy demand with the model: Ea = 5.8(kcal/kg*h)*W0.75(kg)*t(h) + 2.6(kcal/kg*km) *W0.60(kg)*d(km); where W is the weight of the individuals, t is travel time and d is distance travelled. Preliminary estimates of mean daily energy budgets are 483.8 and 458.2 kcal/day for female and male bobcats respectively. To sustain this demand, a female bobcat needs to annually consume 327.8 hares or 2971.3 mice and a male cat will need 346.1 hares and 3137.3 mice. This information is important in understanding how bobcats can survive in desert environments and coexist with similar carnivores as coyotes. These data on the minimal energy requirements are also important in the conservation of this species in desert environments. |
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