CATS! WILD TO MILD | CONSERVATION

OUT ON A LIMB

Pumas have the largest range of any land mammal in the western hemisphere, but they are finding it increasingly difficult to avoid people.

"Pumas are like a light breeze; when one is present, you know it; you can feel it, but you don't see it."
John Seidensticker

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Feeling the Squeeze

The chances of your seeing a puma in the wild are small. Pumas will almost always see, hear, or smell you first, and hide or sneak away. Nevertheless, mountain lions are finding it more difficult to avoid humans as people encroach on formerly wild areas.

Through out the United States, the once vast range of the mountain lion has been reduced by development. Farms and ranches have gradually replaced countryside that once fed the mountain lion by providing a home to deer, rabbits, and other animals. In some areas, mountain lions have been forced to feed on livestock and domestic animals because their natural prey is no longer available.

When people build in wilderness areas, they take land that once provided a home to mountain lions and other animals. Because people fear mountain lions, they are often tracked down and killed when seen in populated areas.

When roads are built, even faster development takes place. More people move into an area, and more land is taken from the mountain lion.

Roads and railways represent a special hazard to mountain lions. Mountain lions and other animals may be killed when trying to cross them.

When people build homes and towns, they also create parks, recreational areas, and golf courses. Because these lands are usually protected and hunting is not allowed, they soon attract animals like deer and rabbits. Hungry mountain lions are attracted to these places because of the presence of prey. Mountain lions may follow these prey animals into developed areas, where they will encounter dogs, cats, joggers, hikers, and other people.

People who live in places where mountain lions live must understand that the mountain lion is struggling to survive. People's homes, farms, and ranches have replaced the mountain lion's hunting grounds. As more houses are built, mountain lions are forced into unnatural encounters with humans.

People who live and play in wilderness areas need to learn as much as they can about the mountain lion and its behavior to prevent harm to both man and cat!

What should you do to avoid encounters with mountain lions?

Select this text to learn how to avoid encounters with mountain lions.

Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
© Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation

This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies PetCare Company and the National Science Foundation.

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Composite photos by Jim Angus. Original photos by Jim Angus and from SunSITE Japan Multimedia Collection

Photograph of dead puma courtesy Ron Sanford © Ron Sanford

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