Things You Need to Know
Mountain lions tend to avoid human interaction, so encounters with them are rare, and most encounters are nonaggressive. Although the risk of being attacked by a mountain lion is very low, they are large predators that can seriously injure or kill humans if they feel threatened. Various factors, such as habitat fragmentation and growing human populations, may increase the likelihood of encounters with mountain lions, especially in urban-wildland areas.
LIVING WITH MOUNTAIN LIONS
Mountain lions can be found throughout Arizona and are most common in mountainous areas with rugged terrain, canyons and rocky slopes. Though typically absent from highly populated areas and mostly avoidant of people when possible, mountain lions do inhabit the wildland-urban interface, where they may occasionally come into contact with humans. Natural areas such as washes and parks serve as movement corridors for mountain lions that connect the wildland habitat surrounding urban areas. However, because mountain lions are elusive, people do not often see them. Mountain lions are typically active during dawn and dusk but can shift to more nocturnal behaviors to avoid overlap with human activity.
Signs of mountain lion presence include large tracks, 3 to 5 inches wide, without claw marks; large, segmented, cylindrical droppings; food caches where a kill has been partially eaten and then covered with leaves, brush or dirt; and scrapes in soft dirt or leaf litter that may contain feces or urine.
DESCRIPTION AND HABITS
- Tan or reddish-brown with a white underbelly; young have numerous black spots that mostly disappear with age
- Long tail that is about one-third of body length, with a dark brown or black tip
- Weigh 75 to 150 pounds (adult males larger than adult females)
- Stand 2 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder (similar to a German shepherd dog)
- Measure 5½ to more than 8 feet long, including the tail
- Crepuscular and nocturnal; active mostly between dusk and dawn
- Solitary, except for females with kittens or breeding pairs
- Average litter of three kittens, which are yellowish-brown with black spots
- Kittens stay with their mother for approximately 11 to 18 months
- Can jump 20 feet vertically and 40 feet horizontally in a single leap
- Rarely make vocal noises unless during breeding season or when threatened
- Home range sizes vary from less than 100 square miles to more than 500 square miles; males range more widely than females
- Diet is primarily deer but also includes javelina, elk, bighorn sheep, small mammals and occasional depredation on livestock and pets
- Stalk-and-ambush predators
For more details about mountain lions visit the mountain lion species page.
Possible Conflicts With Humans
In Arizona, conflicts typically occur when a mountain lion is drawn to an area near where people live or recreate, usually because of plentiful prey such as deer or elk, and becomes too accustomed to the presence of people or when they prey on livestock. Understanding mountain lion behavior and taking preventive measures can minimize the risk of conflict.
What Attracts Them?
Mountain lions typically avoid developed areas but are likely to be present in or near the wildland-urban interface because of their proximity to large wildland habitats, the availability of prey and lower human densities. They may be attracted to areas and remain in those areas if they provide access to food, water or shelter.
- Food sources found near people’s homes include deer, elk, javelina, rabbits, unsecured domestic animals or livestock.
- Water for drinking can include a swimming pool, fountain, pond or pet’s water bowl.
- Mountain lions might use “cavelike” areas beneath sheds or elevated wooden patios, unused buildings or storm drains for shelter.
Other factors that may contribute to mountain lions’ presence around humans include:
- Drought: Wildlife will come into urban areas to search for food and water.
- Wildfires: Wildfires damage vital habitat and force animals into other areas.
- Habituation to humans through close contact, exposure and increased development near wildlife habitat.
- Feeding wildlife, specifically mountain lion prey such as deer, elk or javelina, rabbits and other small mammals, or having livestock adjacent to wildlife habitat, may inadvertently attract mountain lions that prey upon them.
What Should I Do?
Mountain lions are predators capable of seriously injuring or killing humans. Although the risk of attack by a mountain lion is small, it is real, and children are most at risk. Mountain lions may return repeatedly if food, water or shelter are available. If those things are not available, mountain lions generally move on to other areas more quickly.
If you live or recreate in mountain lion country, remain aware of your surroundings and minimize risks to yourself, your family and pets by following the recommendations referenced on this page or in the brochure below.
IN AN EMERGENCY
Report all mountain lion attacks to 911. All mountain lion encounters and attacks, sightings in urban areas, property damage due to mountain lions, or possession of a live mountain lion should also be reported to the Arizona Game and Fish Department dispatch at 623-236-7201. Dispatchers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
if you encounter a mountain lion
- Do not approach the animal. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
- Stay calm and speak loudly and firmly.
- Do not run from a mountain lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase.
- Stand and face the mountain lion. Make eye contact.
- Appear larger by raising your arms or opening your jacket if you are wearing one. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not easy prey and that you may be a danger to it.
- Maintain eye contact and slowly back away toward a building, vehicle, or busy area.
- Protect small children so they won’t panic and run.
- Fight back if attacked. Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools, their bare hands, and even mountain bikes. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the animal.
If you live or recreate in mountain lion country, you should
- Hike or walk in groups during the daytime when mountain lions are less active.
- Make noise when you’re outside.
- Closely supervise children whenever they play outdoors, especially in rugged country between dusk and dawn. Talk with children about mountain lions and teach them what to do if they encounter one.
- Keep dogs, cats, poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits, and other domestic animals indoors or in a secure enclosure with a sturdy roof, especially at night when mountain lions are most active. Always walk pets on a leash. Roaming pets are easy prey for hungry mountain lions and coyotes. Do not feed pets outside and keep their food inside; the food can attract javelina and other mountain lion prey.
- Avoid feeding wildlife. By feeding deer, elk, javelina, or other wildlife in your yard, you may inadvertently attract mountain lions, which prey upon them.
- Trim landscaping around your home. Remove dense and low-lying vegetation that can provide good hiding places for mountain lions and coyotes, especially around children’s play areas.
- Install outdoor lighting. Keep the house perimeter well lit at night, especially along walkways, to keep any approaching lions visible.
To Prevent Human-Wildlife Problems
It is important to keep wildlife wild and remove whatever is attracting mountain lions.
- Don’t feed wildlife and remove any pet food or water from outdoors.
- Close or patch-up any potential mountain lion shelter.
- Try using bright lights, flashing white lights, blaring music, barking dogs, and changes in the placement of scarecrow objects to temporarily repel mountain lions.
- Sprinklers and commercial motion-activated inflatable scarecrows startle animals when activated.
Remember, it is most effective to work with your neighbors for a consistent solution. If people are regularly seeing a mountain lion in a particular area, it may mean the mountain lion represents a public safety risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the information you need to know.
What are the laws and policies governing mountain lions and protection from this species?
It is unlawful to feed wildlife in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties per ARS 13-2927. Some cities and smaller counties have also implemented their own ordinances against feeding wildlife. Check your local city and county ordinances for specific regulations.
Mountain lions are classified as big game animals. They may not be killed without a valid hunting license except in self-defense or in the case of depredation (killing of livestock; ARS-17-302 and 17-239). See AZGFD Hunting Regulations or visit mountain lion hunting in Arizona.
The possession of a live mountain lion is illegal without AZGFD approval and permit (ARS 17-306).
State law prohibits discharging a firearm, bow/arrow, or crossbow within a quarter-mile of an occupied farmhouse or other residence, cabin, lodge, or building while taking wildlife without permission of the owner or resident (ARS 17-309).
Check your local city ordinances, but most cities ban shooting firearms within city limits. Some cities ban the use of slingshots, BB guns, air guns, or bows.
AZGFD Response to Petitions to Prohibit Mammal Pursuit and Hunting with the Aid of Dogs
Are there any health concerns I should be aware of when mountain lions are present in and around my community?
Rabies is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, but can also be spread through saliva coming into contact with open wounds or mucous membranes. Symptoms of this disease include foaming at the mouth, erratic or hyperactive behavior, and/or fearful, paralyzed or lethargic behavior. Call 911 or your closest AZGFD office immediately if you see any animal with rabies symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you have been bitten by a wild mammal.
Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, and it can be transmitted to mountain lions through various means, including flea bites and contact with infected rodents. The risk of humans contracting plague from mountain lions is generally low, unless they are handling infected animals. Mountain lions infected with plague may exhibit a range of symptoms, including lethargy, fever, and difficulty walking, potentially leading to paralysis and disorientation. They may also show signs of respiratory distress like shortness of breath, bloody or watery sputum, and chest pain, especially with pneumonic plague. In humans, symptoms of plague can include fever, chills, headache, and swollen lymph nodes (bubonic plague), or pneumonia-like symptoms (pneumonic plague).
Why can’t AZGFD just relocate a mountain lion or place it in a zoo?
Relocation is rarely a viable option. AZGFD does not relocate any animal that has shown aggressive behavior towards humans. A common misconception is that a relocated adult mountain lion will just stay put in the backcountry area in which it was released and never get in conflict with people again. But mountain lions have extensive home ranges and cover a great deal of ground, and they may not stay in the release area. Once they’ve adopted unacceptable behaviors toward humans, relocation would likely just move the problem to a different area and may eventually become a threat to other communities or areas of human development and activity such as hiking and camping areas. Because of their territoriality, conflict may occur with another mountain lion in the release area which may result in the severe injury or death of one or both mountain lions in that territory.
Zoos have limited space, limited financial resources and limited human resources, not to mention the type of habitat needed to hold a large, powerful animal from the wild such as an adult mountain lion. Although AZGFD has worked with such facilities in the past to place mountain lion kittens, a zoo or sanctuary would be unlikely to take an adult mountain lion because it’s an older animal used to living on its own in the wild. There are management issues, handler safety issues, and animal welfare issues when trying to socially integrate an adult carnivore into its collection.
How many mountain lions are there and how are they managed in Arizona?
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