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Hunting Mountain Lion Page
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 Photo by: D. Robert Franz |
Mountain Lion
Felis concolor
Habitat: They are most common in rough, broken foothills and canyon country, often in association with montane forests, shrublands, and piņon-juniper woodlands.
Diet: Mountain lions prey mainly on deer in North America and also take elk and moose. In some situations they prey on mice, ground squirrels, beavers, rabbits, porcupines, wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, and domestic livestock. Other carnivores, including raccoons, bobcats, and gray fox, also are eaten, especially in winter (Lindzey 1987). Some insects are eaten as well as birds, fish, and berries.
Description: The mountain lion is the largest cat north of Mexico, except for the jaguar, which rarely enters the United States. Other common names for this magnificent cat include puma, cougar, painter, and panther. Color is brownish to reddish brown with paler underparts. The tail is long, cylindrical, and black-tipped. The nosepad and backs of the ears are also black. Coloradan individuals are among the largest representatives of the species. Measurements are: total length 1.5-2.75 m; length of tail 600-850 mm; length of hindfoot 225-300 mm; length of ear 50-115 mm; weight 36-103 kg.
Range in Colorado: The species is still common in much of the western two-thirds of the state.
Status: CDOW Big Game, CDOW WRIS Species
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