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<br /> <br />factors; and they tend to move over large areas from one vegetation <br />type to another during the yeaz. <br />j..~ <br />range Mammals max. <br />• <br />The large mammals that occur in the vicinity of the mine site <br />include mountain lion, bobcat, black bear and mule deer. The i.ciportance <br />of these species is found primarily in their interaction in the food <br />chain as daninant carnivores, omnivores and herbviores respectively. <br />The mule deer is also important in terms of abundance and recreational <br />value. In Colorado, their range is closely associated with a suitable <br />forest edge, woodland or brush habitat. The black bear, the only large <br />mammal omnivore observed in the vicinity. of the mine, ranges throughout <br />tfie foothills in the less settled regions of the area. The two large <br />mammal carnivores, tfie mountain lion and bobcat, are observed less <br />fregVently than the mule deer, but there are signs that their nwnbers <br />may be increasing in the vicinity of the mine. The mountain lio~i in <br />eastern Colorado is generally restricted to riparian or rocky habitats. <br />This is due primarily to tfie fact that the mountain lion hunts by <br />stealth, a mode of predation poorly suited to a more open habitat:. <br />The bobcat will also occur in the foothills and canyons of the area <br />where suitable cover is available. <br />Medium-Sized Mammals <br />Approximately 19 species of mediwn-sized mammals occur or ark <br />expected to occur in the vicinity of the mine. (See Table H-1). <br />The distribution of vegetation types present in the area effect vsrying <br />• I H-2 <br />