Energy Utilization of Natural Prey Items by Southeastern Bobcats
Energy utilization of natural prey items by Mississippi bobcats (Felis rufus) was measured and annual prey requirements were estimated. Male and female bobcats were fed 5 diets of natural prey items, December 1990-February 1991. There were significant differences in amount of energy (kcal) in prey items, with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) meat (5.7295) greater (P < 0.05) than fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) (5.0304). The deer diet also was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the rodent diet and the rabbit and rodent diets in metabolizable energy (ME) and metabolizable...
