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where do mountain lions live

Mountain Lions-Size,Habitat,Diet And Interesting Facts

Mountain lions are called by many names, such as cougars, pumas, panthers. This large carnivore measures 72-90 inches (183-229 cm) in length, including the tail. The black-tipped tail is about1/3 of the total length of the animal. Males weigh 140-160 pounds (63-73 kg). Females are smaller, weighing 90-110 pounds (41-50 kg).

Characteristics of the mountain lion include a pale brown back with a white underside, pale chin and chest and black-tipped ears. Kittens have spotted fur. The mountain lion’s call sounds like a large housecat.

Habitat

Mountain lions are usually found in mountainous habitat or remote undisturbed areas. This species may be found in swamps, riparian woodlands or broken country with good cover of brush or woodland. It is primarily a solitary animal except during brief courtship periods. Territorial fights occur between males and between females with young.

Females may have their first litter at less than 2 years of age, although most reach sexual maturity at 2.5 years. Gestation lasts from 90-96 days, with 1-6 kittens born per litter. Den sites are usually well-concealed in a dense thicket, uprooted tree or rocky depression.

The mountain lion is active throughout the year and the day, but does most of its hunting at dawn and dusk. Females may range in a 15-30 square mile (40-80 km2) area. A male’s activity area maybe 25-35 square miles (65-90 km2).

What do Mountain Lions Eat

Overall, mule deer are the essential food item, but mountain lions will take a variety of large and small mammals (including squirrel, rabbit, mice, porcupine, skunk, raccoon, fox, badger, elk, livestock), insects, reptiles and some vegetation.

Distribution

Historically, the mountain lion had the widest distribution of any native American mammal, from British Columbia south to Argentina, from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast.

The mountain lion is currently restricted primarily to mountainous, unpopulated areas. South Dakota is primarily limited to the Black Hills and Badlands with reports from Custer, Fall River, Jackson, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Shannon and Walworth Counties.

Amazing Facts About Mountain Lions

  • Mountain lions are the largest cat in North America.
  • They can run up to 50 miles per hour.
  • Mountain lions are very good swimmers and can even cross rivers.
  • They are ambush predators and can kill prey that is much larger than they are.
  • They can live up to 12 years in the wild.
  • They have distinctive black tips on their tails.
  • Mountain lions are also known as cougars, panthers, and pumas.

Conservation Measures

As with all large predators, the mountain lion, also called the cougar or puma, elicits a variety of attitudes. It is admired as a wilderness symbol by some and despised or feared as a livestock-killer and threat to humans by others.

Midpen conducted the research on mountain lion conservation in the fall of 2020 to learn about the open lands they used as their habitat, which humans also visit. The future of the mountain lion depends upon an appreciation and understanding of its role in the natural world so that a balance is achieved between the desired population and the habitat needed to support it.

Read Also: What does jaguar eat? How do they hunt their prey?

Article research: https://www.openspace.org/what-we-do/projects/mountain-lion-conservation-research

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