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Large Mammals <br />• The large mammals that occur in the vicinity of the mine site in- <br />dude mountain lion, bobcat, black bear and mule deer. The importance <br />of these species is found primarily in their interaction in 'the food <br />chain as dominant carnivores, omnivores and herbivores respe~:tively. <br />The mule deer is also important in terms of abundance and re~:reational <br />value. In Colorado, their range is closely associated with ;i 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 />the foothills in the less settled regions of the area. The i:wo large <br />mammal carnivores, the mountain lion and bobcat, are observed less <br />frequently than the mule deer, but there are signs that their numbers <br />may be increasing in the vicinity of the mine. The mountain lion in <br />eastern Colorado is generally restricted to riparian or rocky habitats. <br />• This is due primarily to the 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 where <br />suitable cover is available. <br />Medium-Sized Mammals <br />Approximately 19 species of medium-sized mammals occur or all <br />expected to occur in the vicinity of the mine. (See Table H-1 ). The <br />distribution of vegetation types present in the area effect varying <br />species diversity. Several species may be found in the various habi- <br />tats present while others are restricted to a particular vegetation <br />type. The coyote, red fox and badger are the medium-sized mammal <br />carnivores that most frequently utilize the area; the most cosmopolitan <br />• species being the coyote. <br />H-2 <br />