Q&A: Mountain lions in North America

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014

• More information on mountain lions from National Park Service

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - With the ability leap up to 15 feet up in a tree and sprint up to speeds of 50 miles per hour, mountain lions are North America's largest member of the cat family.

The National Park Service says mountain lions are also known as cougars, pumas, panthers, yellow cats, and catamounts. While they once roamed throughout North America, their range today is mostly limited to the twelve westernmost states in the U.S. and Florida.

The big cats can be 30 inches in height at the shoulder and approximately 8 feet long from nose to tail when they become adults.

They generally weigh between 75 and 175 pounds.

Mountain lions can survive in a variety of habitats, including high mountains, deserts, and swamps. Human activity has encouraged Mountain Lions to retreat to the rugged terrain that remains largely uninhabited by humans. Mountain Lion habitat must provide an adequate prey base as well as cover for hunting.

A mountain lion’s vision is one of its most important tools in hunting. The National Park Service says its large eyes and retinas give mountain lions strong night vision. Hunting skills are improved by the lions extremely sensitive hearing.

Other key traits of mountain lions from the National Park Service: ambush hunters; consume 20 to 30 pounds of meat in one meal; bury the remains of their prey after eating; roam in areas of 25 to 785 square miles; and mating season is generally December through March.

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