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Mountain Lion Research Paper

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Abstract
As human development continues to expand further into the Santa Cruz Mountains, the mountain lion habit incessantly is decreasing creating numerous problems and concerns; such as corridor loss, depredation, and public safety. Over the past decade an increase in encounters has occurred, directly correlating to the increase in habitat fragmentation. Because mountain lions have the greatest geographical range of any land mammal, their home ranges require very large and contiguous territories. The destruction of their previous widespread habitat has created new complications that threaten not only the mountain lion, but the overall biodiversity of the ecological community. Mountain lions are both apex predators and opportunistic carnivores, making them a keystone species. As a keystone species, the mountain lion’s ecological role is extremely …show more content…

The most popular common names include mountain lion, puma, cougar, and panther. Forced to seek refuge from human conflict in the mountains, Puma concolor’s habitat is now primarily restricted to the highlands in North America; generating the well-known, regularly used terminology mountain lion. Although it is important to note the mountain lion also thrives in steamy, tropical lowlands, but this opportunity is no longer exist in North America due to habitat loss and fragmentation from urbanization. At this time it is approximated that 71,117 square miles or forty six percent of California is considered suitable mountain lion habitat. In the 1970’s California initiated protection of the mountain lion, and since designated it as a specially protected mammal; making California the first state to legally prohibit hunting. Currently California is the only state that mountain lions are not legally considered big-game or trophy-game

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