The ecology of the lynx (Lynx canadensis) on Cape Breton Island
- 1 April 1983
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Canadian Journal of Zoology
- Vol. 61 (4), 770-786
- https://doi.org/10.1139/z83-102
Abstract
Recruitment of lynx (L. canadensis) on Cape Breton Island declined from 1977-1978 through 1979-1980 concurrent with a decrease in snowshoe hare (Lepus-americanus) densities. Suppressed recruitment resulted from a decline in pregnancy rates, especially in the yearling cohort, and increased mortality of kits during the first 6 mo. of life. Snowshoe hare was the main component in the diet of lynx during both winter and summer. Lynx rarely traveled together except for females with kits. Hunting success (percent successful chases) increased with group size. Overall hunting success increased through the winter. Winter kill rates averaged 1 hare/lynx per 24 h. Home ranges of adults were larger in summer (25-32 km2) than in winter (12-18 km2). Daily cruising distances (kilometers/24 h) were greater in summer (.apprx. 9 km) than in winter (.apprx. 8 km). Although lynx used all habitats within their home ranges, they selected for the advanced successional habit (.apprx. 20 yr after cutting) both winter and summer. Mature conifer habitat was used more in summer than in winter. The short-term impact of extensive forest harvesting within the limited range of lynx on the highlands of Cape Breton Island is uncertain; in the long-term it should prove beneficial by increasing the availability of preferred advanced succesional habitat. Harvesting of lynx should be closely controlled, especially during periods of reduced densities of snowshoe hares and suppressed recruitment of lynx.This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit:
- Physical and reproductive characteristics of an expanding woodland caribou population (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northern LabradorCanadian Journal of Zoology, 1981
- Age, Sex, Reproduction, and Spatial Organization of Lynxes Colonizing Northeastern MinnesotaJournal of Mammalogy, 1980
- Lynx Demography during a Snowshoe Hare Decline in AlbertaThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1979
- Lynx Responses to Changing Snowshoe Hare Densities in Central AlbertaThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1976
- Estimating Cottontail Abundance from Livetrapping DataThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1967
- The Ten-Year Cycle in Numbers of the Lynx in CanadaJournal of Animal Ecology, 1942