Home Range Size and Activity Patterns of Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in the Southern Part of their Range in the Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico

Abstract

Abstract Home range size, daily travel distances, and diel activity patterns are important characteristics of how an animal uses its home range area. In species, such as the bobcat (Lynx rufus), with large geographical ranges, it is necessary to gather data on diverse populations across the range to better understand what might be factors influencing these home range parameters. Although there are many studies of bobcats in more northern areas of its range in the United States, few data exist from its extensive southern range in Mexico. To fill this gap in information, we collected data on home range size, daily travel distances, and diel activity patterns of bobcats from the center of the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico. We compared our findings with available data from more northern studies and tested for any latitudinal trends in home range size. We trapped eight adult bobcats (four females and four males) between 2006 and 2008 at the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve in the Chihuahuan Desert. Each bobcat was equip...