Where to get mountain lion

Mountain lion, puma, cougar, panther—this cat is known by more names than just about any other mammal! Mostly because it has such a large range, and people from different countries have called it different things. Early Spanish explorers of North and South America called it leon lion and gato monte cat of the mountain , from which we get the name "mountain lion. All of these names are considered correct, but in Southern California they are commonly called mountain lions. You may have heard of the Florida panther.

It is endangered, with only about 50 cats left, and conservation efforts are underway to try to save it. Mountain lions are generally a solid tawny color, with slightly darker hair on the back and a whitish underside. Those living in warm, humid areas tend to be a darker, reddish brown color, and mountain lions found in colder climates have thicker, longer hair that is almost silver-gray in color.

Adult males weigh 40 to 60 percent more than adult females. Scientists classify the mountain lion as a small cat, as it does not roar, but purrs like smaller cats do. Its slender body and calm demeanor are more like that of a cheetah; both cats would rather flee than fight, and both rarely confront humans.

With the exception of humans, the mountain lion has the largest range of any terrestrial mammal in the Western hemisphere, from northern British Columbia to Argentina. They live in a variety of habitats, at home in forests, prairies, deserts, and swamps—they are very adaptable cats! Mountain lions are solitary, except during breeding or when a mother is caring for her cubs. The cats live in home ranges that vary in size from 30 to square miles 7, to 32, hectares.

These ranges overlap, so the cats share some parts. They are also subject to death by secondary poisoning from common rodent poisons that contain blood anticoagulants. If you see any wild animal with symptoms of rabies, call or your local Game and Fish office immediately.

Anyone bitten by a mountain lion must immediately seek medical attention for rabies shots unless the biting animal can be captured and tested for rabies. Notify the Arizona Game and Fish Department and your local health department immediately if any physical contact with a mountain lion occurs. E-news Signup.

My Account. Search for:. Wildlife Living with Mountain Lions. Living With Wildlife. Puma concolor means lion of one color. Adult mountain lions have a tan-colored coat — much like the African lion — but are slighter in build with a head that is smaller in proportion to its body. The sexes look alike, though male lions are 30 to 40 percent larger than females. Exceptional individuals have exceeded pounds, but this is rare.

Adult males will measure 6 to 8 feet from nose to tail tip and females 5 to 7 feet. Mountain lion kittens or cubs either term is correct have camouflaging spots and rings around their tails that fade as they mature.

Mountain lions used to occupy the entire United States coast-to-coast, but today they are primarily found in 14 western states with a small endangered population in Florida. Five very small populations have regained an unsteady foothold just east of the Rockies in the s and 90s, but their future is uncertain.

They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and cover, and will leave an area if they perceive a threat. Found in deserts, humid coast forests, arid hillsides, scrub and oak woodlands, lions can live from sea level to snow-covered mountain peaks.

A ten year lifespan is considered old age for a mountain lion in the wild. Lions in captivity have been known to live twice that long. In areas where mountain lions are hunted for sport, only a small percentage make it past five years old. Mountain lions are solitary unless mating or parenting and maintain territories that average square miles in size. Lions mark their territories by clawing trees and urinating on scratch piles of dry leaves, grass or pine needles.

They will fight other lions, even to the death, to protect their territory. A female with kittens will move to a new den site within her territory every few weeks to protect her kittens from predators and male lions. Opportunistic hunters, mountain lions typically hunt alone from dusk to dawn, taking their prey primarily deer from behind. On average, a lion will kill a deer about once a week. They also dine on coyotes, raccoons, rodents, elk, feral hogs, and even porcupines. They may drag the meal to another area and cover it with dry leaves, grass or pine needles to protect the food from other animals and to reduce spoilage.

A mountain lion may return to feed at the site over a period of several days. Unlike other large cats, they cannot roar. Instead they growl, shriek, hiss and purr, similar to house cats. Mountain lions are territorial and solitary. They use pheromones and physical signs like claw markings or feces to define their territory.

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The National Wildlife Federation. Mountain Lion. Mountain Lion Puma concolor Status: Threatened. Classification: Mammal. Description The mountain lion—also known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamount—is a large cat species native to the Americas.