Ecol ogy of the Black Hills 19asperifolia). Common forbs include bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia) (a favorite forage
of elk), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), western yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and vetchling
(Lathyrus ochroleucus) (Gibbs et al. 2004). Overall, about 1,000 plant species occur in
the region (Larson and Johnson 1999).
Mammals historically documented as being killed and consumed by mountain li-
ons in the Black Hills region include large prey species such as white- tailed deer
(fig. 2.4), mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus).
Other smaller (i.e., meso- and micromammal) species include porcupine (Erethizon dor-
satum), coyote (Canis latrans), marten (Martes americana), and yellow- bellied marmot
(Marmota flaviventris), as well as small mammals such as voles (i.e., southern red-
backed, Myodes gapperi) (Smith 2002; Smith et al. 2002). At times, mountain lions
kill and consume domestic livestock species such as llamas, goats, sheep, donkeys, tur-
keys, and domestic dogs and cats in the region.
Despite the diverse prey assemblage available to mountain lions in the Black Hills
system, prey are not uniformly distributed. Deer were first documented in the region
in 1874 by George Grinnell, who accompanied General Custer during the reconnais-
sance of the Black Hills. “White- tails” are found through the region, whereas mule
deer are generally located around the fringes of the Black Hills; populations total more
than 40,000 animals (Cudmore 2017). White- tails outnumber mule deer by about
figure 2.4. Ear- tagged white- tailed deer utilizing the thick understory vegetation that
characterizes the northern Black Hills. Photo from Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Sciences, South Dakota State University.