Research overview: natal dispersal distances across felids

Natal dispersal, the movement of young animals from their birth area to where they will breed, varies in distance and sex bias across cat species. This overview compiles comparative data on dispersal distances in felids, from small cats to big cats, and examines how body size, habitat, and social system influence how far young animals travel. It considers the general pattern of greater male dispersal and female philopatry and the exceptions found in some species. The review discusses how dispersal distance shapes gene flow and population structure. Quantifying dispersal is essential for designing protected-area networks and corridors, since the ability of subadults to move determines connectivity and the genetic viability of felid populations.