Abstract
The manner in which space is utilized by animals is influenced by several factors, including habitat quality and the distribution and abundance of resources. We used 4 years (2000‐2003) of radiotelemetry data to investigate the space-use pattern of female Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) in the Ocala National Forest and an adjacent residential community of Lynne, north-central Florida. Annual home-range size (95% fixed kernel density estimator) ranged from 3.8 km 2 to 126.9 km 2 , and averaged (6 SE) 24.2 6 3.55 km 2 . Home ranges were largest during 2000 when a drought led to a forest-wide mast failure, suggesting that abundance of food resources can substantially influence space-use pattern. Home-range sizes during autumn (19.92 6 4.59 km 2 ) were substantially larger than during summer (8.26 6 0.99 km 2 ). Although annual home-range size did not differ between the 2 study sites, home ranges in summer were smaller in Lynne (5.30 6 1.01 km 2 ) than in Ocala National Forest (9.82 6 1.29 km 2 ), whereas home ranges in autumn were twice as large in Lynne (35.76 6 13.91 km 2 ) as in Ocala National Forest (13.24 6 1.80 km 2 ). We suggest that site-specific differences in the size of seasonal home range are due to differences in habitat characteristics and the degree of habitat fragmentation between the 2 study sites.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
