Wildlife

Living with Mountain Lions

Mountain lions can be found throughout Arizona and are most common in rocky or mountainous terrain. Because mountain lions are shy and elusive, people do not often see them. Mountain lions are solitary animals with the exception of females with kittens or breeding pairs. Signs of mountain lion presence include large tracks (3-5 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.

Description and Habits

• Tan or reddish brown; young have numerous black spots that mostly disappear with age
• Long tail that is about 2/3 of body length, white underneath with a dark brown or black tip
• 75-150 pounds (males usually larger than females)
• 25-32 inches tall at the shoulder (similar to a German shepherd dog)
• 5 ½ to more than 8 feet long including tail
• Average litter of three kittens, which are yellowish-brown with black spots
• Kittens stay with mother for approximately 11-18 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
• Territory sizes range from 10 to 150 square miles; males range more widely than females
• Diet is primarily deer, but also includes javelina, bighorn sheep, elk, small mammals, and occasional depredation on livestock and pets

Possible Conflicts with Humans and Pets

Urban sprawl often results in shrinking habitat and increases the number of conflicts between humans and wildlife, such as mountain lions. Conflicts can occur when a mountain lion becomes too accustomed to the presence of people, often near where we live or recreate, and begins preying on livestock or other domestic animals. Natural areas, such as washes and parks, serve as movement corridors for mountain lions and connect the wild land habitat surrounding urban areas. While this is important to prevent problems with inbreeding and localized extinction associated with habitat fragmentation, it may bring mountain lions into closer contact with humans and domesticated animals. Although uncommon, mountain lion attacks on humans occasionally occur.

What Attracts Them?

Mountain lions typically avoid developed areas, but may be attracted to them if they provide access to food, water, or shelter. Mountain lions are more likely to be present in or near the wild land-urban interface because of their proximity to large wild land habitats, the availability of prey, and lower human densities.

• Food sources found near people’s homes include deer, 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 “cave-like” 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 – Arizona 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 rabbits and other small mammals, javelina or deer, or having livestock adjacent to wildlife habitat, may inadvertently attract mountain lions which prey upon them.

What Should I Do?

Mountain lions are predators capable of seriously injuring or killing humans. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is committed to helping people learn how to behave responsibly and live safely in proximity to mountain lions, and to removing animals that are a potential threat to the public.

The risk of attack by a mountain lion is small, but real; children are most at risk. Mountain lions may return repeatedly if food, water, or shelter are available. If food, water, and shelter 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.

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.

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 Arizona Game and Fish Department Dispatch 623 236-7201.  Dispatcher is available for your call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you live in mountain lion country, you should

• Hike or walk in groups.
• 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, 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.

Remember that mountain lion removal is usually a last resort. Relocation is not a viable option. Mountain lions are territorial and often will return to the area of capture post-relocation or may continue to engage in the same behaviors in the release area (i.e., livestock depredation, killing pets,  killing wild prey near urban areas, etc.). Because of their territoriality, conflict may occur with another mountain lion in the release area and often ends in the severe injury or death of one or both mountain lions in that territory.

It is important to keep wildlife wild and remove whatever is attracting mountain lions. If people are regularly seeing a mountain lion in a particular area, it may mean the mountain lion represents a public safety risk. In some cases, the Department may lethally remove a mountain lion that presents an imminent threat to human safety. A person may only harm a mountain lion in self-defense or to defend another person (but see “Laws and Policies” section, below).

To prevent further problems

• Avoid using rodent poisons, which may poison mountain lions, as well as other animals.
• 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.
• Always work with your neighbors for a consistent solution.

Possible Health Concerns

Mountain lions are at risk of getting a variety of diseases, including those common to house cats, but little is known about their rates of illness. They are also subject to death by secondary poisoning from common rodent poisons that contain blood anticoagulants.

Rabies – Symptoms of rabies can include foaming at the mouth, staggering, circling, and/or fearful, paralyzed, and lethargic behavior. If you see any wild animal with symptoms of rabies, call 911 or your local Arizona Game and Fish office immediately. Anyone bitten by a mountain lion must immediately seek medical attention for rabies shots unless the biting animal can be captured and tested for rabies. Notify the Arizona Game and Fish Department and your local health department immediately if any physical contact with a mountain lion occurs.

Laws and Policies

• Mountain lions are classified as big game. A valid hunting license is required except in the case of depredation (killing of livestock) (ARS-17-302 and 17-239). See Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunting Regulations.
• The possession of a live mountain lion is illegal without Department approval and permit.
• 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.
• 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.

Learn More About Mountain Lions

Living with Mountain Lions – brochure
Mountain Lion Species Information
Understanding Mountain Lion Management in Arizona — FAQs
Hunting Mountain Lions in Arizona