IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Zezulak, D.S. | |
| Northeastern California Bobcat study | |
| 1978 Full Book | |
Ten adult (5 male, 5 female) and five juvenile (4 male, 1 female) bobcats were captured and radio-collared between September 1976 and October 1978. Density of adult bobcats was 0.05 bobcats per km2 (0.13 per mi2). Home range sizes of adult bobcats ranged from 29.5-94.5 km2 (11.5-36.5 mi2) with little home range overlap between males but up to 30% overlap between females. Male-female bobcat home range overlap was as high as 100%. Six female bobcats produced an average of 2.7 kittens per female in 1977 and four female bobcats produced an average of 3.0 kittens per female in 1978. Female bobcats reduced their home range size 70-95% at parturition and attained their original home range dimensions by the October-November period of kitten dispersal. A bimodal activity pattern with peaks at dawn and dusk was associated with hunting behavior and major movements within each bobcat home range. Longer distances were moved during the evening hours and the average distance moved varied among individuals (2.2-4.2 km or 1.4-2.6 mi). During 1976 through 1979, 162 bobcats caught by trappers on adjacent national forest land revealed a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female and that 75% of these bobcats were less than two years old. These aspects of population dynamics are probably indicative of an expanding population or a population responding to moderately heavy man-induced mortality. |
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