MOUNTAIN LION
Puma concolor
- Habitat: Desert and forested mountains with broken terrain and steep slopes
- Status: Least concern
- Population Trend: Decreasing
- Diet: These obligate carnivores are ambush hunters. Mountain lions will eat elk, deer, coyotes, raccoons, small mammals, and even porcupines
- Weight: 90 - 150 lbs. Males are larger than females
- Size: 24" - 35" tall at the shoulders; 6.7' - 7.9' long. Their tails account for 25-35% of their body length
- Lifespan: 8 - 10 years in the wild; up to 20 years in human care
- Wild population in Arizona: ~2,700
- In the Southwest Wildlife Sanctuary: 6
- Interesting Facts:
- Mountain lions are in the Guinness Book of World Records for the animal with the most common names. 40!
- Mountain lions’ tails are used like boat rotors. They can shift their tails from left to right at top speed to change their direction very quickly when chasing prey.
- Mountain lions can jump 40 feet. The length of a school bus!
THE SOUTHWEST WILDLIFE MOUNTAIN LIONS
