Mountain lions, also known as pumas, cougars, or panthers, inhabit the mountains and valleys of Yosemite National Park. They are tan with black-tipped ears and tails and have longer rear legs that help them run and jump. Males typically weigh 130-150 pounds and can reach over 8 feet long, while females weigh 65-90 pounds and reach up to 7 feet long. Mountain lions hunt deer, coyotes, and other small mammals at night and roam throughout Yosemite, especially in covered areas like trees and rocks.
2. Light brown, in color with black tipped ears and
tails.
Born with spots for camouflage, solid color as
adults.
Their hind legs are longer than front legs to help
with running and jumping
Males weigh between 130- 150 lbs. Females 65-90
lbs.
Males can reach more than 8 ft long from nose to
tail. Females can reach 7 ft long from nose to tail.
Males live 8-10 years, females live 10-12 years.
4. Mountain lions roam Yosemite’s mountains and
valleys
They like covered areas like brush, trees and rocks
They go to higher elevations in the summer and
lower elevations in the winter
They can climb trees
They roam up to elevations of 10,000 ft
5. The Felidae Family originated in Asia over
11 million years ago
It is believed that they migrated to the America’s 8
to 8.5 million years ago by crossing the Bering land
bridge
6. Mountain lions usually hunt at night. They eat,
Deer
Coyotes
Rabbits
Raccoons
Bighorn sheep
7. A 2003 study estimated 1 mountain lion for every
25 sq. miles in Yosemite (1169 sq miles in
Yosemite National Park). Estimated 47 mountain
lions in Yosemite
There are about 5000 to 6000 mountain lions in
Sierra Nevada’s
They used to be in all North and South America.
They aren’t in Canada and Eastern United States
anymore.
8. Mountain lions try to avoid humans
Humans are moving into their territory, not the
other way around.
In the last 100 years, 14 people have died from
mountain lion attacks.
Mountain lions are now being seen in the valley, in
parking lots and on trails in Yosemite.
9. No known mountain lion attacks in Yosemite.
However, sightings are increasing.
Last reported mountain lion attack in California
was on January 24, 2007. A 70 year old man and
his wife were hiking in Prairie Creek Redwoods
State Park, in Humboldt County. The mountain lion
jumped on him from behind. His wife fought it off
with a log.
10. Mountain lions are also known as Puma’s in the
Southwest. Cougars in Montana. Panther’s back
East.
You can tell a mountain lions age by the wear on
their teeth.
Mountain lions are shy animals.
11. "Activities for Teachers." Welcome to Wildlink. Web. 22 Oct. 2011.
◦ <http://wildlink.wilderness.net/activityzonedirectory/yosemite_pages/mt_lions.htm>.
"Cougars - Mountain Lions - Pumas - Panthers - Big Cats." Animals - Wildlife - Kids Coloring Pages - Animal Fact Guide.
◦ Web. 22 Oct. 2011.
◦ <http://www.animalfactguide.com/animalfacts/cougar/>.
Logan, Kenneth A., and Linda L. Sweeney. "Mountain Lion., Puma Concolor, Natural History Information." Home Page: Grand
◦ Canyon Chapter Sierra Club, Arizona. Island Press. Web. 22 Oct. 2011.
◦ <http://arizona.sierraclub.org/conservation/mt-lion/index.asp>.
"Mountain Lion, Puma, Cougar [Felis Concolor]: Wildlife and Nature Photography of the Rocky Mountains." Ray Rasmussen
◦ Photography, Haiku, Haibun, Canyonlands, Willmore. Web. 22 Oct. 2011.
◦ <http://raysweb.net/wildlife/pages/07.html>.
◦ http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks_ca.html
"Yosemite National Park - Mountain Lions (U.S. National Park Service)." U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America.
Web. 22 Oct. 2011.
◦ <http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/mountainlion.htm>.
