Mountain Lions of the Black Hills

figure 3.2. Captured mountain lion (M4) exhibiting faded barring on inner legs that
was used, in addition to dental characteristics, to age the animal at 5–6 years.
Photo by D. Fecske.

Table 3.1. Morphological characteristics (mean ± 1 SE) of mountain lions

from the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, 1998–2007

Adult male

n = 25

Adult female

n = 32

Subadult male

n = 23

Subadult female

n = 27

Age ( yrs.) 5.51 ± 0.57 4.14 ± 0. 24 1.92 ± 0.10 1.66 ± 0.05
Weight (kg) 63.16 ± 1.99ab 41.68 ± 1.01b 46.91 ± 1.42a 36.79 ± 1.15b
Total length (cm) 211.89 ± 1.66ab 195.71 ± 2.87b 205.89 ± 2.81a 194.19 ± 1.58b
Tail length (cm) 82.02 ± 1.01 76.73 ± 0.85 79.98 ± 1.64 78.87 ± 0.72
Chest circ.(cm) 76.16 ± 1.08ab 65.55 ± 0.85b 68.84 ± 1.06a 63.37 ± 1.11b
Neck circ. (cm) 41.45 ± 0.67ab 35.36 ± 0.41b 37. 7 0 ± 0.631a 34.07 ± 0.696b
Front pad L (mm) 44.44 ± 0. 74ab 38.38 ± 0.97b 40.35 ± 0. 74a 35.93 ± 0.54b
Front pad W (mm) 62.54 ± 0.84ab 52.38 ± 0.76b 58.39 ± 0.60a 52.30 ± 0.54b
Rear pad L (mm) 42.08 ± 0.78ab 36.06 ± 0.60b 38.70 ± 0.43a 34.63 ± 0.50b
Rear pad W (mm) 53.72 ± 0.75ab 45.44 ± 0.56b 50.78 ± 0.67a 46.30 ± 0.64b

Sourcea : Thompson 2009.

bMea sure ments differed between male age classes (P^ < 0.05).

Mea sure ments differed between sexes (P < 0.05).