Mountain Lions - General Information
Mountain Lions - ReproductionMountain Lions breed seasonally, beginning in October and continuing through March. Male cats are polygamous and they breed all the year round. The majority of conceptions occur from November to March. Males become mature later than females, at the age of three years whereas female are mature when they are between two-three years old. Gestation period lasts 90-95 days.
Mountain Lions - LitterCourtship lasts up to two weeks and afterwards there are usually one to four kittens that are born in the litter. Mountain Lion females give birth to kittens in a well protected and hidden cave or rocky depression. The cubs weigh 400-500g at birth. The cubs are born with a spotted coat but the spots fade as the cat gets older.The kittens leave with their mother at the age of two but siblings may stay together for a few months longer. Their mother will eventually drive them out of her territory and they must roam about to choose their own territory. They usually become independent after one and-a-half years. That's why a female can breed every one year. Mountain Lions - BehaviourMountain Lions are primarily solitary animals, with the exception of mothers that live with their young. Depending upon the time of the year, geography and availability of prey, their range size varies greatly and they migrate constantly. Male range is about 25-35 square miles, which is about 65-90 square km; it will overlap with the territories of females. Females' territories are smaller - about 15-30 square miles (40-80 square km) and they also will overlap. But the males' territories do not share territories with other males, only with females.These are mostly nocturnal animals, they hunt usually at dawn, dusk and at night, and have limited activity during the day. A Mountain Lion is a good hunter. It can follow its prey for hours and it can wait somewhere in the ambush at the distance of 15 meters while it prepares for a suitable moment. Then it uses its powerful legs to lunge at its prey with single running jumps that can reach over 12m. It then leaps onto the back of its prey and breaks the animal's neck with a powerful bite. These are very territorial animals. Both species mark their territory with defecation and urination, as well as with scrapes that are small piles, about six inches long. These scrapes consist of dirt and debris scraped up by the panther's hind feet. The scrapes are usually urinated on, indicating the presence of the animal to others. As these are solitary animals, they are seldom seen together except during the breeding season. Mountain Lions - SoundsMountain Lions are usually quiet, but under some circumstances they do communicate through vocalizations. They make such sounds that can be described as chirps, peeps, whistles, purrs, moans, screams, growls, and hisses. When frightened, kittens emit a series of short, high-pitched peeps. Kittens and mothers keep track of each other with whistles. Female Mountain Lions signal their readiness to mate by yowling or caterwauling.
Mountain Lions - General Information-LinksAll about Mountain Lions - All information about Mountain Lions. Bengaltigers.com - Pictures of tiger, lions, bobcats, cheetah, leopards, etc. Canyonlife-Mountain Lions - Provides pictures and information of cougar, coyote, and mule deer tracks. Cougar (Puma concolor) - Photos and facts about this big cat's physical traits, habitat, distribution, diet, and principal threats to its survival. Cougar Information - Includes history, population dynamics, and distribution. Information made available by the Predator Defense Institute. Greatcatsoftheworld - Lots of pictures of your favorite big cats from the Bridgeport Nature Center to help educate people on issues affecting endangered species. Living with California Mountain Lions - From the California Department of Fish and Game. Includes Mountain Lion facts and tips for handling Mountain Lion encounters. Mountain Lion General - Contains description and life history of Mountain Lions. Learn about habitat and geographical distribution of these animals, view pictures. Mountain Lion Habitat and Description - Read about this large cat's habitat, diet, and breeding. Includes a photograph Mountain Lion Information-Short - Features a picture of Mountain Lion tracks, along with the natural history of the cougar, personal notes, and track photos. Mountain Lions Archive - Contains an archive of great cats images and information which covers nearly all existing species, including some of the more difficult to find. Species include: lions, tigers, cheetahs, pumas, leopards, jaguars, caracals, snow leopards and many more. Mountain Lions Description- Read about Puma Concolor's range, physical makeup, and natural history. Includes a photograph. Mountain Lions Info.com - Males of the species weigh as much as 160lbs. Read more about this toothy predator and its role in the food chain and local ecosystems.
Mountain Lions Pictures - Small collection of high quality images taken by international wildlife photographer Mark Kostich. Mountain Lions Posters - Enjoy a selection of charming, humorous and colorful kitty posters portraying felines in a variety of poses. Link to posters of wild cats. Mountain Lions Saving - A non-profit organization located in Auburn, California, with activities that encompass a wide range of Feline Services, sponsoring and promoting conservation and research programs, that benefit cats that remain in the wild. Nationalgeographic National Geographic site has drawings, information, and photos of felines skulls, their muscle system, senses, coat, and behavior. Rtec.strayduck - Organization rescuing exotic cats and providing a sanctuary for them in the foothills of the Maya Mountains (Belize). Case histories, volunteer needs, research information and ways to help. Species Account: Puma (Puma concolor) - Detailed information on Puma Concolor from the IUCN Cat Specialist Group. Includes information on description and behavior, biology, habitat, distribution, population status, protection status, principle threats and action planning. Tigerlink.org - Provides information about tiger ecology and conservation to the public, scientific, and conservation communities in an effort to help preserve the remaining five subspecies of tigers. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Women's Cross Country - Mountain Lions. News items, statistics, race schedule, results and a roster.
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All Rights Reserved. Sometimes, a mountain lion hunts on cattle farms when its usual prey is scarce; the conservation status of the species is endangered due to habitat loss and competition for prey. |
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