IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Hilts, D.J.; Gehring, T.M.; Nielsen, C.K.; Eter, D.R.; Brown, S.M.; Truax, R.R. | |
| Seasonal Use of Latrines by Bobcats: Implications for Monitoring Programs | |
| 2020 The Journal of Wildlife Management (84): 1611-1616 | |
Latrines serve as important communication networks among felids for transmitting information relative to social dominance, reproductive status, and defense of hunting areas. During January 2011-August 2012, we monitored 10 bobcat (_Lynx rufus_) latrines in the northern Lower Peninsula (NLP) of Michigan, USA, using motion-sensitive cameras to estimate bobcat visitation and scat deposition rates among 3 biological seasons (mating, kitten-rearing, non-mating). Bobcat visitation rates differed among the 3 seasons. We found equal number of visits during the mating and kitten-rearing seasons, and lower visitation rates during the non-mating season. Scat deposition rates differed among the 3 seasons. We found a net gain of scats deposited during the mating and non-mating seasons, whereas there was a net loss of scats during the kitten-rearing season. An artificial latrine protocol we developed yielded visitation at 4 of 12 artificial latrine sites. Monitoring natural and artificial latrine during the mating and kitten-rearing seasons could provide valuable data for managing bobcat populations. |
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