Mountain lions are generally
secretive, solitary and elusive. Most people never see this animal
in the wild. In fact, both field biologists and outdoor recreationists
rarely see mountain lions, even in habitats that support relatively
dense populations. That is why it has come to be known as the
"Ghost Cat". The fact that this animal is rarely seen
by humans in its native habitat gives the false impression that
there are very few of them, when quite the opposite is true. The
California Department of Fish and Game puts their numbers at about
5,100 adults ranging over a habitat of about 80,000 square miles
- 20 years ago, when the last formal field study was conducted.
As their numbers increase we
are beginning to see more of them encroaching in areas used or
inhabited by humans as more of them are pushed to the fringes
of their range seeking new territories. It appears that the available
habitat for this native carnivore is approaching critical densities.
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A mountain lion can drop silently from a height of 60 feet and
land running. They can leap 15 feet upward and on
flat ground, a lion can spring forward almost 45 feet in one pounce.
An adult male lion requires up to a 100 square mile area for its
range and habitat. There are as many as 10 lions per 100 square
miles along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range
in California.
A scientific review of records on attacks by mountain lions on
humans in the United States and Canada from 1890 through 1990
indicated there were 53 mountain lion attacks on humans during
this period; nine attacks resulting in 10 human deaths, and 44
non-fatal attacks.
The largest carnivorous cat in north America is known by many
names; mountain lion, cougar, puma, and panther,
catamount, painter and by its scientific name - Felis concolor.
Felis concolor is the only large species
of cat that purrs (click
to listen)! Mountain lions make little noise in the woods.
When they do, they often sound like a person whistling or a bird
chirping. If you have speakers on your computer you should have
heard a recording of a mountain lion roar when the page loaded.
If you didn't hear it, try turning up your volume and reloading
this page in your browser.
Watch a mother cougar defend
her cubs from a Grizzly Bear....
