Prey use by mountain lions in southern Texas

We described the diets of mountain lions (Puma concolor) in a prey-rich eco system of southern Texas from 1994 to 1997. We estimated white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), and feral hog ( Sus scrofa) densities at 7.7, 4.9, and 6.2 animals/km(2), respectively. Pre y use was determined by identifying 75 mountain lions kills and contents of 25 seats. Mountain lions killed white-tailed deer in greater proportion th an available, feral hogs less than available, and collared peccaries in pro portion to availability. Resource managers in southern Texas should adjust harvest rates of large prey and enhance populations of buffer species to mi nimize the effects of mountain lion predation.