Mountain lions on the prairie: habitat selection by recolonizing mountain lions at the edge of their range

摘要: Mountain lions (Puma concolor) have historically experienced large‐scale range contractions, but are beginning to recolonize portions of their former range. To reach potential suitable habitats in eastern North America, mountain need move across the grassland and agriculture‐dominated Great Plains, which different from forested areas associated with western America. inform restoration planning this area, it is important understand differences lion habitat selection “nontraditional” habitat. We tracked GPS‐collared Northern Plains Montana identified movement states (localized or exploratory) using behavioral change point analysis net‐squared displacement. compared between step‐selection functions that included several environmental covariates. Similar elsewhere throughout range, both states, tended select environments were farther human development. In contrast more traditionally occupied mountainous regions, selected lower elevations. They near far water, avoided riparian rugged when exploratory states. This suggests utilizing river corridors, particularly those rough broken topography during phases. enhance future recolonization connectivity east our study we encourage managers maintain restore forest fragments along corridors Plains.