A COMPARISON OF BOBCAT AND COYOTE PREDATION ON LAMBS IN NORTH-COASTALCALIFORNIA

We investigated predation on lambs by bobcats (Lynx rufus) relative to coyotes (Canis latrans) from Tune 1994 through November 1995 at Hopla nd Research and Extension Center (HREC) in north-coastal California, w here both predators occur at equally high densities. Lamb losses durin g this study were typical for HREC and surrounding ranches and include d 64 (5.3% of lambs pastured) confirmed predator kills and 134 (11.1%) missing individuals. Fifty-seven of the predator-killed lambs were at tributed to coyotes, whereas none were assigned to bobcats. The propor tion of bobcat seats containing sheep remains was small (4.2%), and oc currence did not peak in the lambing season. suggesting that sheep con sumed by bobcats were scavenged. Sheep were common in coyote scats (21 .4%) and occurred most frequently in seats from the winter-spring lamb ing season. Coyotes were responsible for all lamb kills in intensively monitored pastures for which predator species could be identified. Us e of space by radiocollared bobcats was not noticeably influenced by t he presence of lambs. We concluded that bobcats were not important pre dators of lambs at HREC and not the cause for the relatively large num bers of lambs missing and unaccounted for each year.