Graduation Year
1982
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Department
Biology
Degree Granting Department
Biology
Major Professor
Dr. James N. Layne
Committee Member
Dr. Roy W. McDiarmid
Committee Member
Dr. Henry R. Mushinsky
Abstract
Eighteen (6 male and 7 female adults, 5 juveniles) radio-collared bobcats (Lynx rufus) were monitored on the Archbold Biofogical Station and vicinity during 1979-1982. Mean density was 0.06 males, 0.11 females, and 0.19 juveniles per 100 ha. Mean sex and age ratios were 0.6 adult males per adult female and 1.22 juveniles per adult. Breeding occurred from September to March. Mean size of 13 mobile litters was 2.5 (range 1-4). Nine (50%) of 18 collared cats died. Nine additional individuals were found dead or reported killed. Known causes of 16 deaths were: road-killed 8, feline panleukopenia or notoedric mange 5, shot 2, dog predation l. Mean and extreme lifetime ranges of male and female adults were 2553 ha (1482-3108) and 1444 ha (935-2160), respectively. Corresponding home range values during 12, 3- to 16-week intervals were 1453 ha (1187-2007) and 931 ha (779-1301). High mortality in this essentially unexploited population resulted in individually unstable ranges. There were no differences in overall range variability between adult males and adult females. One female and one male adult abandoned their ranges, the female's range being acquired by her offspring. Adult males and females fanned consort relationships, which involved sharing a home range area and occasionally travelling or resting together in all seasons. Marking behavior involving urine, feces, and hindfoot scrapes varied seasonally and appeared to play a significant role in maintenance of home range boundaries of adult males and adult females. Older juveniles also marked natal range boundaries. Females used their entire range in all seasons, but activity and movement patterns varied with the age of their offspring. Natural habitats were preferred to man-modified areas. Comparisons with data from other bobcat populations are made. Implications of the findings of this study to the management of bobcat populations are discussed.
Scholar Commons Citation
Wassmer, Douglas A., "DEMOGRAPHY, MOVEMENTS, ACTIVITY, HABITAT UTILIZATION AND MARKING BEHAVIOR OF A BOBCAT (LYNX RUFUS) POPULATION IN SOUTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA" (1982). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/8904
