What state has the most mountain lions?

While California has a large population (4,000-6,000), Colorado is often cited as having the most mountain lions, with estimates reaching up to 7,000 individuals, benefiting from abundant elk and vast mountainous terrain, though other states like Montana and Oregon also host significant numbers.

What state has the most mountain lion attacks on humans?

In 2018, a mountain biker was attacked by a lion and killed. Lion management has been decided by voter initiatives in some states, with Washington and Oregon banning hunting with hounds. California has seen the most attacks in the last 40 years with 22 people injured and four killed.

Where are mountain lions most commonly found?

Mountain lions (pumas, cougars) are most common in the Western United States, especially in states like California, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, where they thrive in diverse habitats like forests, foothills, and rugged terrain, though Florida has a unique subspecies, the Florida panther, in its swamps. They prefer areas with abundant deer (their main prey), dense cover (brush, woodlands, forests), and rocky areas, often bordering human developments.
 

What state has no bears or mountain lions?

The hiking on Hawaii is some of the best in the world

There also aren't any mountain lions, alligators, crocodiles or even dangerous snakes, although you should watch out for poison ivy. Other than that, you're looking at rainforests, beaches, volcanoes, cliffs and waterfalls.

Where is the highest population of cougars?

On Vancouver Island, they belong to a unique subspecies: Felis concolor vancouverensis. While British Columbia is home to around 4,000 cougars, an estimated 600–800 live on Vancouver Island alone—the highest concentration of mountain lions in North America.

The 15 US States That Have Mountain Lions

What scares a mountain lion away?

To deter mountain lions, use loud noises (air horns, whistles, radios), bright flashing lights (motion-activated), water (motion-sensor sprinklers), and strong smells (predator urine), while also making yourself appear large and assertive during an encounter, and consider guardian dogs or deterrent sprays for property protection. Combining multiple methods is often most effective, as mountain lions dislike the unexpected and avoid perceived threats.
 

How many times has a mountain lion killed a human?

Wildlife officials said mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare, with only 28 instances reported since 1990. It was the first fatal attack reported in over 25 years, the last occurring in 1999, the state wildlife agency said.

What is the 3 bear rule?

The "3 Bear Rule" is a common, simplified rhyme for bear safety during an attack: "If it's black, fight back; if it's brown, lay down (play dead); if it's white, goodnight" (polar bear). While a helpful guideline, expert advice emphasizes that response depends on the bear's motivation (defensive vs. predatory) and species, with black bears usually fought, grizzlies (brown) played dead for (if defensive), and polar bears being extremely dangerous. 

What attracts mountain lions to your house?

Mountain lions are often attracted to urban/suburban situations by easy prey items such as domestic pets/animals and deer that live in these areas. Younger mountain lions, dispersing from fully occupied mountain lion habitat, may also end up in these areas, trying to establish their own territories.

How far north do mountain lions range?

Mountain lions are known by many names, including cougar, puma, catamount, painter, panther, and many more. They are the most wide-ranging cat species in the world and are found as far north as Canada and as far south as Chile.

How to tell if a mountain lion is nearby?

To tell if a mountain lion is nearby, look for their distinct, clawless tracks (M-shaped heel pad, three-lobed), listen for unusual sounds like chirps or screams, spot territorial markings like scraped earth with urine/scat, notice sudden silence from coyotes, or see a large, tawny cat with a long, thick tail in their habitat. 

What time of day are mountain lions most active?

Mountain lions are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk when their main prey (deer) are also moving, but they are adaptable and become more nocturnal, especially in areas with human presence, to avoid people and can be active at any time.
 

Are mountain lions just big house cats?

Mountain lions are powerful, agile predators, with adult males typically weighing between 120 to 220 pounds (54.4 to 99.8 kilograms) and females weighing less, around 64 to 100 pounds (29 to 45.4 kilograms). Despite being large cats, cougars do not typically fall within the "big cats" category.

What to do if a mountain lion follows you?

If a mountain lion is stalking you, stay calm, don't run, and make yourself look big and intimidating by yelling, opening your jacket, and waving your arms, while maintaining eye contact and slowly backing away to give it space; if attacked, fight back aggressively, protecting your neck and face with anything available.
 

Which lion eats humans the most?

The Njombe man-eaters were a pride of lions that terrorized southern Tanzania during the 1930s. Their killing spree is the deadliest known series of lion attacks on humans in recorded history. Over a period of several years, these lions are believed to have killed and eaten more than 1,500 people.

When was the last person killed by a mountain lion?

In March 2024, California recorded its first fatal mountain lion attack in two decades after one attacked a pair of brothers on a remote road near Georgetown, killing one and severely wounding another.

What will scare off a mountain lion?

To deter mountain lions, use loud noises (air horns, whistles, radios), bright flashing lights (motion-activated), water (motion-sensor sprinklers), and strong smells (predator urine), while also making yourself appear large and assertive during an encounter, and consider guardian dogs or deterrent sprays for property protection. Combining multiple methods is often most effective, as mountain lions dislike the unexpected and avoid perceived threats.
 

How long will a mountain lion stay in one area?

Mountain lions establish large territories (from 30 to 500 sq. miles depending on sex, prey, and habitat) and roam constantly within them, covering up to 15 miles a night, using temporary "daybeds" for rest, not dens, and rarely staying in one spot for long unless a female with immobile kittens or a consistent food source (like urban deer) keeps them lingering. Young males disperse at around 16 months to find their own territory, moving through areas for weeks or months before settling.
 

What smells attract mountain lions?

The smell of blood from sick, injured, dead, or newborn animals will attract mountain lions.

What is the black bear rule?

Although the bear safety rhyme “If it's brown, lay down. If it's black, fight back. If it's white, goodnight” sounds like good advice, you have to know why a bear is attacking you before you can decide the best way to respond.

What does "if it's white" say goodnight mean?

"If it's white, say goodnight" is the final part of a bear safety rhyme: "If it's black, fight back; if it's brown, lie down; if it's white, say goodnight," meaning an encounter with a polar bear (white) is almost always fatal, as they actively hunt humans and are incredibly dangerous, unlike black bears (fight back) or brown/grizzly bears (play dead defensively). This saying highlights the extreme threat polar bears pose, indicating you have little to no chance of survival if one attacks.
 

What sounds scare bears away?

Effective bear deterrent sounds include loud, sudden noises like air horns, whistles, or even shouting and banging pots and pans, which surprise bears and signal your presence, while ongoing human sounds (talk radio) help prevent habituation, but the best defense involves making consistent noise and removing attractants. Bear bells are often ineffective; instead, use your voice, loud instruments, or motion-activated alarms to scare them away, aiming deterrents (not bears) skyward to avoid fire.
 

What part of the body do lions eat first?

Lions usually start feeding from the stomach, as this is the easiest point of entry and gives access to some of the most nutritious parts of the prey, such as the kidneys and liver. Lions will generally eat all edible parts of the prey, but are not able to easily digest hair.

What is the #1 animal that kills most humans?

The number one animal killer of humans is the mosquito, responsible for hundreds of thousands to over a million deaths annually by transmitting deadly diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus, far surpassing any other creature. While humans themselves are the second deadliest (via homicide), mosquitoes are the deadliest animal by a significant margin due to disease transmission, with malaria alone causing nearly 600,000 deaths in 2023. 

Could a human fight off a mountain lion?

Yes, a human can fight a mountain lion and survive, even win, but it's incredibly dangerous and requires aggressive, decisive action, often involving using improvised weapons and protecting vital areas like the head and neck. While many people have survived attacks by fighting back fiercely, the odds are slim, but making yourself appear large, fighting aggressively with anything available (rocks, sticks, jackets), and protecting your throat are key strategies.