Diets of 3 Predators in Big Bend National Park, Texas

Abstract
Mountain lion (Felis concolor), bobcat (F. rufus), and coyote (Canis latrans) scats were collected during 1972-74 and 1980-81 in Big Bend National Park (BBNP), Texas. Mountain lions mainly consumed deer during 1972-74 and smaller prey during 1980-81. Bobcats consumed lagomorphs as their principal food source. Coyotes primarily ate insects, birds, reptiles, and lagomorphs. All 3 predators consumed more deer in 1972-74 than in 1980-81. We believe that the observed changes in the predator diets were due partially to a significant decline in the desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) population between the 2 sampling periods.

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