Monday, January 25, 2016

The Santa Cruz, California Puma Project reveals and reinforces what we know about Puma courtship and mating behaviour-----Courtship among Pumas tend to occur at scrape sites, raised ground stuffs and soil that males dig up and create and then scent mark via urination...........Females are attracted to these sites and a male/female "hookup can occur there accordingly,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,If Males do not show up when females are at the scrape sites, females may begin alerting males to their availability through caterwauling, a high pitched "meow" that can be heard by males up to 5 miles away.............Once a "hookup occurs, the male and female hang out together for up to 5 days and then part ways with the male out again seeking to mate with other females................90 days after impregnation, cubs are born................click on link below to view some fascinating videos relating to this courtship process

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/21/courtship-in-pumas-videos-reveal-cryptic-behaviors/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoUMTgzNTg2MjIyNjYwMDg0Mzg3OTkyGjUyNTY1Zjg1M2Y0Yzk2Zjk6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNGjHWVP2n9eqaLYwrsjlQnBve1l


Courtship in pumas: videos reveal cryptic behaviors


Max Allen – Santa Cruz Puma Project

A male puma looking back (Photograph courtesy of Max Allen)
A male puma looking back (Photograph courtesy of Max Allen)



References:
Allen, M.L., H.U. Wittmer, P. Houghtaling, J. Smith, L.M. Elbroch, and C.C. Wilmers. 2015. The role of scent marking in mate selection by female pumas (Puma concolor). PLoS One 10: e0139087.
Allen, M.L., H.U. Wittmer, and C.C. Wilmers. 2014. Puma scrape and communication behaviors: understanding functional use and variation by sex and age. Behaviour 151: 819–840.
Logan, K., and L. Sweanor. 2001. Desert puma: evolutionary ecology and conservation of an enduring carnivore. Island Press: Covelo, CA.

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