Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
Puma concolor
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Population, Conservation Status, Threats:
Mountain lions are considered least concern by the IUCN. They are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation as well as run-ins with humans.
Physical Description:
Mountain lions are one of the largest cat species in North America. They are a light tan, with a white belly, chest, and snout. They have black markings on their ears, nose, and on the tip of their long tail.
Colorado mountain lion range from the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Mountain lions are present in montane regions across the state into the foothills, but are generally not found east of the Front Range and into the plains.
Habitat:
Mountain lions are equipped to live in a wide variety of habitats, from forests to swampland. In Colorado, they are primarily found in the mountains and foothills.
Behavior:
Mountain lions are solitary, with large territories. They hunt in the same way most cats do, by sneaking up on and ambushing their prey, and are most active at dusk and dawn. They rely on dead trees, dense brush, caves or rock overhangs for shelter and protection from the elements.
Diet:
Mountain lions are obligate carnivores, rarely consuming non-animal food. They tend to take large game like deer as prey, but will hunt smaller animals when needed.
Reproduction:
Mountain lions generally breed every other year, females producing one to six cubs per pregnancy. The cubs - which are spotted at birth - will stay with their mother for one to two years before leaving to find their own territory.
Associated Species:
Both mule deer and white-tailed deer are common prey of mountain lions, but they will not hesitate to take smaller prey, such as raccoons or birds.
Illustration by Willow Sedam
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