IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Dennison, C.C.; Milani, D.; Thompson, R.; Geary, B.; Harveson, P.M.; Harveson, L.A. | |
| Use of camera traps to assess prey availability and distribution relative to mountain lion predation in the Davis Mountains, Texas | |
| 2014 Conference Proceeding | |
We used an array of camera traps and information collected from GPS collared animals to test the relationship between prey availability and mountain lion predation in the Davis Mountains of west Texas. Camera traps were used to estimate the relative abundance and distribution of mountain lions and their prey. GPS collar data was used to identify likely kill sites and field investigations confirmed whether or not a kill was present, as well as the species that was killed. We compared prey availability across the study site to the composition of all kill sites observed. Camera trap data was used to investigate the distribution of prey, including habitat preferences for several categories including elevation, terrain ruggedness, and ecological site. We also looked at individual kill sites and compared those to the relative prey abundance based on camera trap data in the more immediate area surrounding the kill. While feral hogs were the most abundant prey species on camera traps (composing 23% of total animals observed) they were the fourth most common species preyed upon by mountain lions after mule deer, elk, and white-tailed deer. We observed significant differences between the diets of the male and female cats present on the study site, as well as differences in diet based on the age of the animal. However, we also noted variation in the diet preferences of individual mountain lions that fall within the same sex and age groups. A better understanding of how local prey availability both on a fine and broad scale affects mountain lion predation will help land managers to better manage for both mountain lions and their prey. |
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