Thermal characteristics of montain lion dens

Authors

Vernon C. Bleich, California Department of Fish and Game, Bishop, California
Becky M. Pierce, California Department of Fish and Game, Bishop, California
Jeffrey L. Davis, California Department of Fish and Game, Bishop, California
Vicki L. Davis, California Department of Fish and Game, Bishop, California

Abstract

We used radiotelemetry and searched with a trained hound to locate the dens of 3 recently parturient mountain lions (Felis concolor). These dens were located in dense riparian vegetation along the same stream in the bottom of a steep canyon. We monitored circadian temperatures of 2 dens at 1-h intervals and compared them to ambient temperatures recorded simultaneously. We found mountain lion dens to effectively moderate high ambient temperatures, but these dens failed to provide a thermal advantage at the lowest ambient temperatures recorded in this investigation. We conclude that mountain lion dens provide effective protection from thermal maxima for young, immobile kittens.

Recommended Citation

Bleich, Vernon C.; Pierce, Becky M.; Davis, Jeffrey L.; and Davis, Vicki L. (1996) "Thermal characteristics of montain lion dens," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 56: No. 3, Article 12.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol56/iss3/12