Mountain Lion / Cougars
Felis concolor
Felis concolor: (Latin) meaning a cat of the same color. Probably referring to the smooth blending of the body coloration.
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Local Reports: Tom Ferrel, former ranger at Walnut Canyon National Monument, reports that on one early morning in 1987 he had the following experience. "It had snowed briefly at about 6 am that morning, depositing about an inch of snow in the area. At about 8 am I was walking with others near the old ranger's cabin at the west end of the monument. We were entering the canyon on the original trail once used by visitors. About half way down we came across fresh and clear cougar tracks. It was apparent from the fresh snowfall that the cougar had passed this way just ahead of us, perhaps by minutes." Evidence and sightings continue at Walnut Canyon to this day.
In the Spring of 1998 the author of this web site took this photo along a dirt road just off Lake Mary road, a few miles south of Flagstaff and a little way west of Walnut Canyon. "I had the impression that this was a juvenile cougar as the tracks were smaller than an adult's."
The following information is quoted from the "Mountain Lion Field Guide" by Harley G. Shaw - Special Report Number 9 - Arizona Game & Fish Department
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"In discussing lion activity or numbers in an area, one must define the lions being considered. Current studies suggest the following classes in a given lion population:
Resident Lions are the adult males and females that use established home areas and are reproductively active. Depending upon climate, residents may use the same home area year-round, or they may shift elevationally with seasons. In Arizona no apparent seasonal home areas occur. Mature males and females apparently associate with each other only at time of breeding. They occasionally share kills, but circumstances under which this occurs are not yet clear. Home areas in a study area for mature males in Arizona range from 50 miles to 63 miles. Home areas over-lapped but male lions were not found traveling together in the study.
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Home areas in the same study for mature females in Arizona ranged from 10 miles to 68 miles and over-lapped. Females with kittens have been found associated with other mature females with kittens or with other single mature females.
Immature Lions are defined as offspring of resident adults that are still traveling with, or close to, the mother. For the first year they are doing little of their own killing and are dependent upon the mother for their food. By the middle of their second year they may show some independence and by the end of the second year will be separated from the mother.
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Transient Lions are those in the 1.5 to 3 year age class searching for a home area. Very old lions may also become displaced wanderers. Such transients may move into an area and stay a few days, then move on. The percentage of animals of this class in an area may vary with the rate of mortality of the established residents. In a stable, unharvested lion population where all home areas are filled, few transients will be present.
Lion Predation on Deer
Deer are the staple of lions throughout North America. Deer kills usually occur in singles. Two or even three kills may be found close together, however, especially if a female lion with cubs is involved. Deer are usually covered after the first feeding, then uncovered, fed upon, moved a short distance, and recovered. Three or four feedings on a single kill are common. All ages of deer are taken. Fawns seem to be selected during the immediate post-fawning period, bucks are selected during the rut and immediately after fall hunts. Does, fawns and bucks appear to be taken approximately in proportion to their occurrence in the deer herd during late winter and spring.
Lion Predation on Elk
Elk are relatively common prey of lions. In general, lions prefer calves and avoid mature bulls, although they have been known to take all age classes of elk. Elk kills are similar to deer kills in that they usually occur singly and are usually covered and revisited. In colder climates, a single elk kill may be fed upon for a week or more.
Lion Predation on Bighorn Sheep, Pronghorn and Peccary
Kills of bighorns and antelope have been documented but are relatively rare. They follow the form, generally, of deer kills. Based on limited data from the Three Bar Wildlife Area in east central Arizona, kills of javalina are common. The impact of lions on javelina populations, however, is unknown.
Lion Predation on Smaller Prey
Most of the larger rabbit and rodent species are taken by lions at times. Dependence of lions on these species (for food) has not been established in studies to date."
Safety: As you explore the many other cougar pages on the internet you will discover several that relate stories of attacks on humans by cougars. As population grows and activity on forest trails increases this is an obvious byproduct. The mountain lions are there and it is inevitable that contacts will occur. A word to the wise is a good idea. Keep small children and dogs close by. Don't hike the remotest areas alone. And IF you do see a cougar, DON'T RUN. Information is available from your local game & fish or national park offices.
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