Mountain Lions

Living with WildlifeLiving with WildlifeLiving with Wildlife

Mountain lions in Colorado are most likely found in foothills, canyons, or mesa country and are at home in brushy areas and woodlands. Mountain lions are typically found in areas with plentiful deer and adequate cover. These characteristics are common in foothills, urban edges, parks, and open spaces. Not surprisingly, the number of mountain lion/ human interactions is increasing as more people move into mountain lion habitat and spend more time using hiking and running trails in these areas. The mountain lion is called by more names than any other Colorado mammal–cougar, puma, panther, catamount or lion. As Colorado’s largest cat, adult mountain lions grow to more than six feet in length including a long blacktipped tail. They typically weigh 130 pounds or more. Mountain lion coloring is reddish to buff and paler on the belly.

Mountain lions at a glance

• Mountain lions are generally calm, quiet, and elusive.

People rarely see mountain lions in the wild. • Mountain lion attacks on people are rare. • The mountain lion’s staple diet is deer, with adults eating about one a week. • Mountain lions hunt by stealth, often pouncing on prey from a tree or rock overhanging a game trail. • They are most active from dusk to dawn.

If you encounter a mountain lion

• Do not approach a mountain lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape. • Stay calm when you come upon a mountain lion. Talk calmly yet firmly to it. Move slowly. • Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely.

Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase and attack. Face the mountain lion and stand upright. • Do all you can to appear larger by raising your arms or opening your jacket if you are wearing one. • Protect small children by picking them up so they won’t panic and run. • Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back if the mountain lion behaves aggressively. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. What you want to do is convince the mountain lion you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to the mountain lion. • Fight back if a mountain lion attacks you. They have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have successfully fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools. and their bare hands. • Try to stay on your feet.

If you live in mountain lion country

• Walk or hike in groups and make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a mountain lion.

• Make sure children are close to you and within your sight at all times. • Carry a sturdy walking stick to help ward off a mountain lion. • Make lots of noise if you come and go during the times mountain lions are most active. • Install outside lighting. Light areas where you walk so you could see a mountain lion if one were present. • Closely supervise children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about mountain lions and teach them what to do if they meet one. • Landscape or remove vegetation to eliminate hiding places for mountain lions, especially around children’s play areas. Make it difficult for mountain lions to approach unseen. • Plant native shrubs and plants to minimize unwanted wildlife from foraging on your property. • Keep your pet under control. Roaming pets are easy prey and can attract mountain lions. Bring pets in at night. If you leave your pet outside, keep it in a kennel with a secure top. Don’t feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other animals that are eaten by mountain lions. • Store all garbage securely.

If you have encounter or observe a mountain lion, in person or on surveillance cameras, report it to authorities. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Otherwise, report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 719-227-5200 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For sightings after hours, call 719-390-5555.

Source for Bears, Coyotes, Deer and Mountain Lions: Colorado Parks and Wildlife, By David M. Armstrong, University of Colorado-Boulder