Big competition for small spots? Conspecific density drives home range size in male and female leopards

Variation in home range size exists among and within wildlife populations. Home variation may be driven by both intrinsic extrinsic factors, including sex, food reproductive resources, density competition. In this study, we investigated the sex-specific impacts of prey conspecific competition on leopard Panthera pardus at two spatio-temporal scales Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa. Male ranges were more than twice those females, line with expectations for a solitary, polygamous species. Both male female space-use primarily short-term changes intra-sexual density. Females influenced short long-term drivers, availability (home core) refugia (core) further impacting size. Males almost exclusively drivers; was impacted density, age. Long-term contributed to core The difference impact short- drivers between sexes likely relates tenure expectations; males forced out their territories any time should therefore optimize based present conditions. Female leopards, however, must secure that maximizes success order raise cubs independence. Our findings challenge is resource-driven demonstrate critical role social factors saturated populations solitary Furthermore, illustrate importance considering temporally variable across different timescales fully understand mammalian spatial organization.