Timing of Feeding Bouts of Mountain Lions

Onset of feeding by mountain lions (Puma concolor) on individual prey was studied with an automatic camera near mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) that had been killed and cached by mountain lions. We categorized mountain lions as adult males, adult females, females with juveniles, and females with kit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of mammalogy 1998-02, Vol.79 (1), p.222-226
Main Authors: Pierce, Becky M., Bleich, Vernon C., Chetkiewicz, Cheryl-Lesley B., Wehausen, John D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Animal ethology
Biological and medical sciences
Cameras
Deer
Female animals
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Game fishes
Kittens
Lions
Mammalia
Mammalogy
Mothers
Mule deer
Predation
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Puma concolor
Vertebrata
Wildcats
Wildlife ecology
Young animals
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Summary:Onset of feeding by mountain lions (Puma concolor) on individual prey was studied with an automatic camera near mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) that had been killed and cached by mountain lions. We categorized mountain lions as adult males, adult females, females with juveniles, and females with kittens. After sunset, females with kittens returned to kills significantly earlier than males, females, or females with juveniles. Early feeding by females with kittens might reflect avoidance of conspecifics, which are known to kill kittens. Alternatively, mothers with young kittens may remain closer to caches of prey than lone males, females, or mothers with juveniles. Increased energetic needs of lactating mothers also may dictate earlier feeding.
ISSN:0022-2372
1545-1542
1545-1542
0022-2372
DOI:10.2307/1382857